Sixteen-year-old Godiva Kim from Queensland has won the 2025 Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Bathurst Golf Club.
This is the teenager’s first professional win, adding to her NSW Amateur title earlier this year.
Kim played brilliantly over the two days. She shot a four-under-par 68 in the first round and followed it with a three-under-par 69, finishing seven under par overall.
Her final round today included a bogey-free back nine with four birdies, putting her four shots ahead of the runner-up.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m feeling pretty proud of myself that I held myself up all day,” Kim said after the win.
When asked if she expected to win, she admitted, “Honestly, not really, not until around halfway through the second nine but I think after that kicked in I think I held myself pretty well.”
“I think even though the score wasn’t the same I played a bit better today, considering I did make up for some mistakes that I made.”
The highlight of her day was on the par-three 13th hole.
“Definitely on one of the par threes, the 13th, I lobbed it in, so I was pretty proud of myself on that one,” she said.
Her father, who caddied for her, also received praise.
“He was a lot nicer than yesterday. So, yeah, I’d say he was pretty great today,” Kim said with a laugh.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Ford Women’s NSW Open at Wollongong Golf Club, Kim says she can’t wait.
“I’m really excited for that one. I had high hopes for that one. So I’m really proud that I made it in,” she said.
As for celebrating, Kim plans to keep it low-key.
“Just resting. That’s about it. Nothing too big,” she said.
Also qualifying for next year’s Ford Women’s NSW Open was Kathryn Norris from Western Australia, who secured second place on a countback. She tied with South Australia’s Caitlin Peirce, who qualified earlier at Narrabri Golfie, and fellow West Aussie Jess Whitting.
The final regional qualifying event will be held at Duntryleague in Orange, with the Pro-Am starting this Sunday. Players will compete for the last two spots on offer in next year’s championship.
