Grace Kim has become one of the most searched and celebrated names in women’s golf. With her recent victory at the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship, Kim is not just a promising talent—she’s a full-blown LPGA star. This biography covers her background, career evolution, major wins, and the viral moments that sent search terms like Grace Kim golf, Amundi Evian Championship, Jeeno Thitikul, and Thitikul to the top of Google Trends.
Early Life and Junior Career
Grace Kim was born on December 13, 2000, in Sydney, Australia, to Korean-Australian parents. Raised in the suburb of Greenacre, she picked up golf at the age of 8 and quickly showed elite potential. Her talent was honed through programs under Golf NSW and later Golf Australia’s Rookie Squad, which groomed her for international success (Golf NSW).
She attended Pennant Hills High School, juggling education and golf training, and by her mid-teens had already gained national recognition in Australia.
Amateur Achievements
Her amateur career was nothing short of dominant:
- 2017 Australian Girls’ Amateur Champion
- 2018 Youth Olympic Gold Medalist in Buenos Aires (Team Event)
- 2019 NSW Women’s Amateur Winner
- 2020 Queen Sirikit Cup Team Captain
- Low Amateur at 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open
Grace was also a frequent member of the Australian national team, competing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships and World Amateur Team Championships.
By the time she turned professional in September 2021, she was ranked among the top 30 globally on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Turning Professional and Epson Tour Rise
Grace began her professional career with a splash on the Epson Tour—the LPGA’s developmental circuit. Her first full season in 2022 saw her claim victory at the IOA Golf Classic and secure a Top 5 finish on the money list. This performance earned her a full-time LPGA Tour card for 2023 (Epson Tour).
LPGA Breakthrough: LOTTE Championship 2023
In just her third LPGA Tour start, Kim secured her maiden victory at the 2023 LOTTE Championship in Hawaii. She won in a playoff with a calm birdie on the first extra hole. The win earned her $300,000 and significantly boosted her standing in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
That same year, she finished T-13 at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, showing promise in major tournament environments.
Career Momentum and 2024 Season
While 2024 didn’t bring another LPGA title, Grace maintained consistency throughout the season. She finished:
- Runner-up at the Meijer LPGA Classic (playoff loss)
- Top-10 finishes at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational and the Blue Bay LPGA
- Over $800,000 in earnings across 29 events
She spent her off-season working on distance and strength, adding 5+ meters to her drives and improving recovery routines for better performance in long tournaments (Golf Australia).
Historic Victory: 2025 Amundi Evian Championship
Kim’s career reached a new peak in July 2025 when she won the Amundi Evian Championship, one of the LPGA’s five major tournaments. Held at the Evian Resort Golf Club, the tournament ended in dramatic fashion.
Final Round Recap
Trailing by three shots with four holes left, Kim birdied the 15th and 16th, then made a sensational eagle on the 18th hole to tie for the lead at 14-under (270 total), forcing a playoff with Jeeno Thitikul, the world’s No. 2 at the time.
On the first playoff hole, Kim’s second shot landed near the water. She then stunned the crowd by chipping in for birdie, keeping her hopes alive. On the second playoff hole, she reached the green in two and sank an eagle putt to win the championship in extraordinary style (NBC Sports).
Her win earned her a $1.2 million prize and placed her permanently in LPGA history.
Career Stats (As of July 2025)
- Professional Wins: 6
- 1 Major (2025 Evian Championship)
- 1 LPGA Tour (2023 LOTTE Championship)
- 1 Epson Tour
- 2 ALPG events
- 1 All Pro Tour win
- Major Appearances: 8
- Top-10 Finishes: 10+
- Career Earnings: $2.5 million+
- Rolex World Ranking: 54th (Rolex Rankings)
Style of Play and Strengths
Grace Kim is known for a technical, smart approach to the game. Her swing is smooth and consistent, and she rarely takes unnecessary risks.
Core Strengths:
- Exceptional short game, especially around the greens
- Mental toughness in final rounds and playoffs
- Greens in regulation consistently among top-tier players
- Clutch putting, demonstrated repeatedly under pressure
Her playoff performance at the Evian Championship solidified her reputation as one of the most composed young players on tour.
The Jeeno Thitikul Connection
Searches for “Grace Kim vs Jeeno Thitikul” spiked following the Evian Championship. Though not a formal rivalry, the final-round duel captured the imagination of golf fans globally.
Jeeno Thitikul, a former World No. 1 and teen prodigy from Thailand, is also known for her mental composure and control. Their contrasting backgrounds but shared discipline and talent make every meeting between them highly anticipated.
Trending keywords like Thitikul, Jeeno Thitikul, and Grace Kim golf often appear together during LPGA events—particularly majors.
Sponsorships and Endorsements
Following her rapid rise, Grace has attracted attention from international brands:
- Titleist (equipment)
- FootJoy (apparel and gloves)
- Adidas Australia (activewear)
- Callaway Apparel (ALPG sponsor)
- Golf Australia (ambassador program)
Her multicultural appeal and growing U.S. fanbase position her for broader sponsorship opportunities, especially after her 2025 major win.
Social Media and Public Image
Grace Kim shares occasional updates via Instagram, where she posts training sessions, tournament recaps, and off-course content. She remains relatively private but is seen as professional, humble, and focused.
Her popularity surged globally following the Evian victory, as social media exploded with videos of her eagle finish and emotional reaction.
She also supports youth golf development and is passionate about mental health awareness, speaking publicly about the pressures of competitive golf and the importance of balance.
What’s Next for Grace Kim?
Following her Evian win, Grace Kim has her sights set on:
- Top 30 in the Rolex World Rankings
- Qualifying for the 2026 Solheim Cup
- Representing Australia at the Paris 2028 Olympics
- Winning another LPGA major, possibly the Women’s British Open or Chevron Championship
Golf analysts now consider her a strong contender in any field—especially in events with tighter fairways and demanding short-game requirements.
Why Grace Kim Is Trending in 2025
Here’s why Grace Kim-related searches have soared:
- Amundi Evian Championship Win – One of the most thrilling LPGA playoff finishes in recent years
- Clutch Performance – Chipping in from near water and eagling the final hole of the playoff
- Search Trends – Exploding search interest around Grace Kim, grace kim golf, jeeno thitikul, thitikul, and Amundi Evian Championship
- Representation – A Korean-Australian woman winning on the global stage brings in fans from multiple continents
- Rising Global Star – Poised to become the face of golf in Australia and a top-tier LPGA contender
FAQs
Who is Grace Kim?
Grace Kim is an Australian professional golfer on the LPGA Tour, known for winning the 2025 Evian Championship.
How old is Grace Kim?
She was born on December 13, 2000, making her 24 years old as of 2025.
What’s her biggest win?
Her biggest win to date is the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship, her first major title.
Is she related to Jeeno Thitikul?
No, but she defeated Thitikul in a two-hole playoff at the Evian Championship in July 2025.
What are her strengths?
Grace is known for her short game, mental composure, and ability to execute under pressure.
What equipment does she use?
She’s sponsored by Titleist and FootJoy, among others.
Where can I follow her?
Follow her on Instagram (@gracekimmey).
