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Na Ri Kim is an up and comer on the KLPGA.
Only 18 through most of 2003, she managed to notch several
top tens. Meanwhile, she played on the developmental tour
for the KLPGA, the Dream Tour, and was the top money earner
for the year. She was rewarded at the end of the year with
a sponsorship by Hite beer, and seems on the fast track.
In 2005, she had a decent year on the KLPGA
tour, and so decided to try out for the LPGA. She attended
the LPGA Qualifying School and had the best result of any
of the Koreans in the field, a tie for 9th. Thus, she earned
her exempt card for 2006.
In 2006, Na Ri started her rookie season slowly,
struggling to make cuts. But starting with an 88 she shot
in May, almost all her rounds of golf were in the 80s, due
to shoulder problems. She did not play at all after a pair
of 86s at the Corning Classic in May. In 2007, she seemed
healthier, but still missed most of the cuts in the tournaments
she played. Nonetheless, she played well enough to maintain
non-exempt status on tour.
In 2008, she was not able to maintain even
conditional status on tour, and returned to Q-School again.
There she finished tied for 21st, just out of the running
for exempt cards. But she earned a strong non-exempt status
for the 2009 season.
Na Ri had her best season yet in 2009, achieving
her best scoring average, money total, tournament finish (T-14th)
and Major finish (T-31st). Her 111th on the money list moved
her status up slightly for 2010.
Nonetheless, Na Ri decided to focus on the
JLPGA tour in 2010. It was a good move; she had a very solid
year on that tour. After a shaky start, she became stronger
in the second half of the year, collecting a win, 6 top tens
and 11th on the tour money list.
Na Ri finished 23rd on the JLPGA money list
in 2011, but didn't have a win during the year.
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