Why Australia’s emerging golf star owes Ash Barty a text message

Grace Kim reckons she still owes Ash Barty a congratulatory text message.

“Hopefully in the next few weeks, I’ll be able to send her a message and say ‘congrats on the baby’,” Kim jokes of her blossoming text friendship with Australia’s former world No.1 tennis player.

Of all the success Kim has had in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour, it was a note from Barty that surprised her the most. It came shortly after the 22-year-old Sydneysider won in Hawaii on the LPGA Tour, a result that elevated her profile to another level.

But as lucrative as the win was, Kim returns to her home town with her sights on another tournament, the Australian Open, which would top the lot.

“It was a very big shock for me and I didn’t expect [winning on the LPGA Tour] that early in my career,” Kim said.

“As soon as that happened, I’ve never really had a chance to reset my goals properly. Suddenly, I’m leading rookie of the year rankings and the fact that happened is a privilege. Not a lot of people get to do that.

Grace Kim will be one of the leading women’s players at the Australian Open.Credit: Getty

“I think I’ll do a better job of setting goals this year and, hopefully, I can tick all of them. To win [the Australian Open] this year would be amazing, and top my year for sure.”

Kim’s leap into the world’s top 100 players makes her among the favourites for the Australian Open, which will begin at The Australian and The Lakes on Thursday.

The world No.76 is a long way behind Minjee Lee (No.5), Korea’s Jiyai Shin (15), defending champion Ashleigh Buhai (26) and Kim’s compatriot Hannah Green (28), who will be the star attractions in the field for the women’s event.

Kim came close in last year’s Australian Open on the Melbourne sand belt. She shared the lead playing her 72nd hole of the tournament, but faltered with a double bogey as Buhai, playing in a group behind, settled her nerves to finish four shots clear.

Ash Barty and her newborn son, Hayden.Credit: Getty, Instagram

“The fact I even went close, in contention and almost back door it to give myself a chance, it was a good opportunity for me to show I belonged between these girls,” Kim said.

Kim has been paired with Green and Buhai in the afternoon wave during the opening round at The Australian on Thursday before switching to The Lakes on Friday morning where huge galleries are expected.

“For us last year, to be able to play in front of the crowds because of everybody being under one roof for the week is just amazing,” Buhai said.

“We don’t get to play for those sorts of crowds week in and week out on the LPGA. I just wish that somehow we could co-sanction it with either Ladies European Tour or LPGA in order to get a bigger field, or girls coming from all places of the world.

“It’s just not possible at this time, but I thought last year was unbelievable.”

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