U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

May 29, 2025

A Lim Kim

Erin Hills GC

Flash Interview

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back to the interview area. We're here with A Lim Kim. A 4-under 68, can you talk us through your round out there today?

A LIM KIM: It was good. When I warm up today, it is so good, not too good, but still really great attempt today. Then I make long putt two times. So I feel good.

Q. What were some of your initial impressions of the course, and what do you think about it after one round of competitive play?

A LIM KIM: This course, tee shot is really important. Everybody needs distance more. Then playing fairway more benefit, and the green play so excited.

I'm thinking about management is more important this way.

Q. This is known as a second-shot golf course, and I know you worked on moving the ball both ways in the off-season. How has that helped you here?

A LIM KIM: I can go more aggressive at the pin. So that point is different from last year. So I feel like more comfortable. Then 130 yards inside more comfortable.

Q. 130 yards inside?

A LIM KIM: Yeah, it's my strength. Yeah, my strength.

Q. You had those two long birdie putts, No. 1 and No. 3. How do you feel about your putting overall today?

A LIM KIM: When I hit, I feel really solid, but close to the holes, I felt a little strong speed, but make it. So I thought lucky with me. That's all.

Q. You parred the 9th. I'm wondering what you think of the 9th hole and how you parred that today.

A LIM KIM: On No. 9 today the wind direction is left-to-right. I hit a little draw shot. A little thin contact, but tricky hole for me. But everybody thinks the same thing, yeah.

Q. As a past champion, what does that give you every time you come into a U.S. Open? What kind of extra confidence or swagger does that present?

A LIM KIM: Of course, because somebody told me, A Lim, what do you want to win a game? I said U.S. Open because there is long history and a very, very hard course setting. Then U.S. Open winner, like great shot, great putter, great management of everything, everything is very important.

So I think U.S. Open is number one in the tournaments.

Q. How did you get the nickname Queen?

A LIM KIM: That's a secret (laughter). My original nickname is Queen Kong. Do you know King Kong? So when I was young, I hit far. So everybody told me, yeah, King Kong, but I don't like full name, so just Queen.

Q. So you changed it?

A LIM KIM: Yeah, just Queen, yeah.

Q. When you look back on winning in 2020, how did that change your life immediately?

A LIM KIM: More challenging. When I was playing -- I played up in Korea for six years, still good position. Then everything is familiar. But I want to try LPGA because I want to more grow up. I want to more improve myself. So good decision for me.

Q. When you think about the leaderboard, are you surprised that several of you shot 4-under today? Did you think it was possible?

A LIM KIM: Honestly, I'm not thinking about leaderboard because my job is process, not result. Next three days, I play the same thing today, same thing as today, focus on my line, hit it. That's all.

Q. You said you wanted to come over here to mature, to grow up a little bit. In what ways do you think moving over here and playing on the LPGA changed you in ways that you didn't anticipate?

A LIM KIM: You know, LPGA player is really strong. Every country, very strong players came here, and they have a lot of skill. And LPGA course, you need the skill.

The practice area is more great than Korea. That means more high quality use of the time in the practice time. So I love it.

Q. What do you like to do away from golf?

A LIM KIM: Workout. I love to lift weights and sprint and then some cardio. I love that.

Q. Do you like it better than golf?

A LIM KIM: I don't know, but I love that.