Grace Kim’s US Amateur campaign came to an abrupt end overnight at the hands of World Amateur number two, Rachel Heck.
Kim had few answers for the Tennessean’s power game and was immediately under pressure from the outset at Westchester Country Club in New York, losing the very first hole.
Kim dropped another hole on the third when Heck birdied, and then three down soon after when the Stanford Freshman and NCAA Champion poured in another on the par-five 5th.
After matching pars on the 6th and 7th, Heck then went on a tear, winning four straight holes to put the match beyond doubt.
With Heck dominating, a par was all she needed on the 12th, and the match was all over 7 & 6.
“Rachel was unbelievably impressive, and I am a little disappointed that I didn’t play with my A-game.
“It was a tough match, and it didn’t help I made no birdies and kept making bogeys, while she’s there making birdies,” Kim said.
Emily Mahar, the other Aussie left in the field, progressed to the round of 16 with another withering finish, birdieing two of her last four holes to win one-up over China’s Sophie Guo.
The Queenslander is still on the course, two-up with five to play against the Philippines Rianne Mikhaela Malixi.