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Kim Hyo-joo, also known as Hyo Joo Kim was born on July 14, 1995 in South Korea. She first picked up a golf club at the age of seven while going to register for a taekwondo academy. Kim won the 2011 Junior World Golf Championships in the girls 15-17 division. The following year, Kim won the first event of the Korean Tour season, surprising the field as an amateur at the Lotte Mart Ladies Open. Kim became the youngest winner ever on the JLPGA Tour when winning the 2012 Suntory Ladies Open as an amateur at the age of 16 years and 332 days.

Kim attended Korea University and turned professional in 2012. She won her first event as a professional in December 2012 by shooting 11-under par over 54 holes at the Hyundai China Ladies Open. After not posting a win in 2013, Kim dominated the LPGA Korea Tour in 2014, winning six titles and was first on the money list. One of the wins was the Evian Championship, a major title, where she set a record for the lowest 18-hole score in a major with a 61. Later in year, Kim accepted membership on the LPGA Tour for 2015.

In 25 events on the LPGA Tour in 2015, Kim made 22 cuts and had eight top-ten finishes. Her first win came at the JTBC Founders Cup. In addition, Kim earned a victory on the LPGA Korea Tour, defeating Shanshan Feng by four shots at the Kumho Tire Ladies Open. Kim finished 13th on the LPGA Tour money list and was second in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year.

Kim made 23 cuts in 27 events in 2016 and finished 20th on the money list at just over $750,000. Among her six top-ten finishes was a win at the Pure Silke Bahamas LPGA Classic in January by two shots over Stacy Lewis, Anna Nordqvist, and Sei-Young Kim. The win propelled Kim to over $1 million in career earnings on the LPGA Tour. She finished third on the tour in putting, fourth in greens in regulation, and ninth in birdies. Kim concluded the season with a win at the Hyundai China Ladies open on the LPGA Korea Tour.

In 2017, Kim made 18 cuts in 22 events and finished with just under $500,000 in earnings. She finished in the top-ten four times, with a season best tie for 7th at the Ricoh Women’s British Open. The following season, Kim surpassed $750,000 in earnings which was good for 25th on the LPGA Tour money list. Her best finish was runner-up to Ariya Jutanugarn in a four-hole playoff at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Kim had her best season to date in 2019 by making 20 cuts in 21 events. She earned nearly $1.3 million which placed her 10th on the money list. Kim placed in the top ten 12 times with three second-place finishes. Her top ten performance at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA propelled her career earnings past $4 million. Kim ranked first in putts per green in regulation, second in sand saves, scoring average, and rounds under par.

Due to COVID-19, Kim didn’t play on the LPGA Tour in 2020. She added two victories to her resume on the LPGA Korea Tour, winning the Lotte Cantata Ladies Open in a playoff over Sei Young Kim, and winning the KB Financial Group Star Championship by eight shots over Jin Young Ko.

Kim earned her fourth LPGA Tour title in 2021 by winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship. She represented the Republic of Korea in the Tokyo Olympics, finishing tied for 15th at nine-under par. Kim closed out the 2021 season with her 13th and 14th wins on the LPGA Korea Tour. She finished 21st on the LPGA Tour money list with just under $856,000.

Kim has performed well in limited action in 2022. She finished tied for 8th at the first major of the season, The Chevron Championship. She earned her fifth LPGA Tour title by winning the Lotte Championship by two shots over Hinako Shibuno. Kim has over $5.5 million in career earnings with 45 top ten finishes on the LPGA Tour. She is currently 13th in the Rolex World Golf Rankings and 7th in the Race to the CME Globe.