Who Is Auston Kim? Former Student Athlete’s Personal and Professional Life Explored

It took Auston Kim 21 events to earn a spot at the 2024 LPGA Tour for the first time, and ever since she has been trying her best on the greens. The 23-year-old has also won the 2024 LPGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year title. But who is this new golfer with the highest number of top 10 finishes at the Epson Tour, only last year in 2023?

Auston Kim’s Personal Life

Kim was born on August 16, 2000, to Christopher and Piljo Kim. She identifies as an American-South Korean and currently resides in St Augustine, Florida, United States. She also has an elder sister, August Kim who recently graduated as a doctor from the same university as Auston. The sisters were on the greens together when Auston Kim won the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells in 2023 to get her LPGA Tour card.

When the younger Kim won her tour card, August Kim wrote on her Instagram, “Auston — the most deserving, strong, hardworking, amazing person I know, my favorite person in the universe, my little sister — showed the world exactly what she’s made of & what I’ve believed all this time. knowing me is knowing that my family is the root of everything — thank you to Mom & Dad for making us who we are, but mostly for giving me a sister like you. life is a team sport & no one can beat the one I was born into! my cup overflows!!!!!! she did it!!!!”

Auston Kim’s education

Kim completed her International Baccalaureate Diploma from Allen D. Nease High School in 2014-18, where she ranked 52 out of 552. She later did her Bachelor’s in Political Science from Vanderbilt University finishing her course in May 2022. She is also professionally fluent in French with 5 years of learning experience.

Kim’s achievements as a student-athlete

Auston Kim has been active in academics while pursuing her passion for the sport of golf at the same time. While she was part of SAAC, Phi Alpha Delta, Women in Government, KUSA [Korean Undergraduate Student Association], and AASA [Asian American Student Association] during her studies at Vanderbilt, she managed to score a 3.7/4.0 GPA.

As a Freshman in 2018, Auston Kim got the WGCA Honorable Mention All-America. She also won medalist honors at the NCAA Auburn Regional after scoring 6 under par. Kim finished as the runner-up of the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational and the second runner-up tied for third at the Cougar Classic with 8 under par. She also qualified to play at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

The following year, as a Sophomore, Kim got the invitation to play in the 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She earned the title of scoring the lowest 54-hole score in program history. This was her career-low 200, a 16 under par after she won the medalist honors at the Cougar Classic.

According to Vanderbilt University, Auston Kim earned another achievement as a Junior. They stated, “[Auston Kim] Became the first Commodore to participate in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2021, advancing to the final round and finishing tied for 25th overall”. Kim also got the exemption to take part in the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open where she did not make the cut but scored 149 in two rounds.

In her final year, Kim again qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, in 2022. She achieved it after earning yet another medalist honors at the U.S. Women’s Open qualifier at Shannopin Country Club, Pittsburgh.

The university noted, “[Auston Kim]Matched a career-low and second-lowest round in program history with a 65 during the first round at the Mason Rudolph Championships. The round also is the lowest first-round score in program and tournament history. [Auston Kim] Earned fifth top-10 finish on the season after posting a 211 (-5) to tie for fourth at the NCAA Franklin Regional, where she helped Vanderbilt win its first NCAA Regional title since 2019 and fourth in program history.”

Auston Kim’s Journey in Golf

Before she joined Vanderbilt University, Auston Kim ranked 43 in the 2017 AJGA’s rankings. It was the same year when she went to the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championships after winning medalist honors at the Georgia qualifier and proceeded to play in the 2017 Junior PGA Championships. She turned a professional golfer in May 2022, joined the Epson Tour, and played there till October 2023.

In the same month, Kim won the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells with a purse of $287,500, where she added 650 Points towards the card. Following this win, she officially took home her rights to play on the LPGA tour.

“It’s been a long couple of years and the 2023 season was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced. But the blood, sweat, and tears were worth it. It’s amazing to work so hard and have it pay off at the most important week of my career. I am so excited to compete on the LPGA Tour next year. The real work begins now,” Kim said after making it to the LPGA.

In 2024, Kim has played in only two LPGA events so far. While she finished at T53 at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, she failed to make the cut in her latest participation in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Auston Kim is certainly improving her play on the greens and may become a rising star in the niche soon.