Kim marches on at U.S. Amateur

CARMEL, Ind. » Former Big Island resident Kimberly Kim continued her pursuit of a second U.S. Women's Amateur Championship with two more wins yesterday to advance to today's quarterfinal round.

Kim, the defending champion and last Hawaii player left in the field, needed 20 holes to defeat Rikako Morita of Japan in a second-round match at Crooked Stick Golf Clubs. She then knocked off Alison Walshe of Massachusetts 4 and 3 in the third round.

Kim, 15, was to face Jennifer Song of Korea in the last of today's quarterfinal matches.

"This year it's harder," Kim said of defending her title in a story posted on the USGA Web site. "My first match was so hard, it was like the finals. My comfort level is never high. I never want to be a cocky person. I don't want to be a cocky golfer because golf will show you."

Today's winners advance to the semifinals set for tomorrow. The championship match is Sunday.

Among those advancing yesterday was 12-year-old Alexis Thompson, who became the youngest quarterfinalist in the 106-year history of the event.

U.S. Women's Amateur Championship

Upper bracket

Harigae def. Hurst, 1 up.
Uribe def. Jandel, 2 up.
Thompson def. Salas, 5 and 4.
Jang def. Joh, 20 holes.

Lower bracket

Lee def. Juneau, 6 and 5.
Blumenherst def. Turner, 6 and 5.
Song def. Smith, 2 up.
Kimberly Kim def. Walshe, 4 and 3.