KIM Nasa Claims First Jump Tour Victory with Playoff Birdie

[THE CAPTURE=Kang Byeong-koo] KIM Nasa (20) earned the first professional victory of her career after prevailing in a dramatic playoff at the KLPGA Jump Tour.

Competing at Baekje Country Club in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do, KIM fired a final-round 5-under-par 67 to finish at 7-under-par 137 for the tournament. She tied Jeon Ian at the top of the leaderboard before securing victory in a sudden-death playoff at the KLPGA 2026 Jeju Airport Rent-a-Car·Baekje CC Jump Tour 4th Event.

The championship was decided on the very first playoff hole.

Returning to the 18th hole, Jeon settled for par while KIM calmly rolled in a birdie putt from approximately three meters, clinching her maiden professional title.

KIM played aggressively from the opening hole of the final round. Consecutive birdies on the 1st and 2nd holes quickly built momentum, and another birdie on the 4th hole allowed her to take control of the leaderboard.

She continued her charge with additional birdies on the 8th, 13th, and 14th holes, remaining firmly in contention throughout the day and eventually forcing the playoff.

Following the victory, KIM reflected on the moment.

“The birdie putt that won the playoff is the shot I’ll remember the most,” she said. “It still feels unreal, but I’m incredibly happy to finally win a Jump Tour event after wanting it for so long.”

She credited her consistency throughout the round for the result.

“My driver stayed in the fairway all day, which helped me avoid trouble. My iron shots were solid, and my putting from around three meters was very reliable. Overall, I was satisfied with every part of my game.”

KIM’s journey to professional golf is particularly unique. She competed as a boxer until the fifth grade before switching to golf. After spending time studying and training in Japan, she continued to develop her game and eventually earned KLPGA professional status by finishing seventh at last year’s KLPGA Associate Member Qualifying Tournament.

Known for her aggressive playing style, KIM believes her ability to make birdies under pressure is one of her greatest strengths.

“I’m confident in my attacking style of golf and my ability to make a charge on the final day,” she said. “My goal is to earn a regular tour card this year, and in the long run, I want to become a player whose name everyone recognizes.”

With her first professional victory now secured, KIM Nasa has taken an important step toward achieving those ambitions.