LEAWOOD, Kan. -- Mindy Kim won the Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City Championship on Sunday for her first professional title, closing with a 2-over 73 for a four-stroke victory in the Duramed Futures Tour event.
The 18-year-old Kim, from Diamond Bar, Calif., had a 3-under 210 total on the Leawood South Country Club course. She earned $12,600 to jump from 20th to fourth on the money list with $18,172. The top five at the end of the season will earn LPGA Tour cards.
"I feel great because I never thought I would be able to pull it off," Kim said. "The wheels kind of fell off on the back nine, but I'm so excited to get my first pro win at 18. ... I was so nervous coming into today. I've been pressured about the money list, so I just had to hang in there. I just haven't been in contention in nearly two years."
Canada's Jessica Shepley (70) finished second, and Kim Welch (68) and South Korea's M.J. Hur (76) tied for third at 2 over. Hur leads the money list with $25,349.
