Mindy Kim wins Futures Tour event; Hilo's Whiting 18th
Associated Press
LONDON, Ky. — Mindy Kim won her third Duramed Futures Tour title of the year today, holing a 6-foot eagle putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory over teen star Vicky Hurst in the Falls Auto Group Classic.
Kim, from Diamond Bar, Calif., finished with a 3-under 69 for a 10-under 206 total on the Crooked Creek Golf Community course. She earned $14,000 to push her season total to $66,800, second on the tour behind Hurst.
Hurst, a four-time winner this year, closed with a 68, She made $10,000 for a season total of $73,571. The final top five will earn 2009 LPGA Tour cards.
Former Arkansas star Stacy Lewis (70) was third at 8 under. Hilo's Leah Whiting, who was tied for third after the first round, shot a 70 to finish in a tie for 18th at 216. She earned $940.
The 19-year-old Kim set up her closing eagle with a 225-yard, 3-wood approach.
"This win feels really sweet," Kim said. "It was a really exciting finish for the fans because all the putts mattered down the stretch."
Hurst birdied the 18th.
"I really think I played well, but I left too many shots out there," Hurst said. "It was really exciting down the stretch, but I really wanted that eagle at the end."
Lewis, third in the U.S. Women's Open, was making her first Futures Tour start.
"Overall, it was a really good tournament," Lewis said. "The crowd was great and I put myself in position, but I didn't close it out."