And I'm sure, Kim herself would have been skeptical had someone told her she'd be in the final pairing with Yani Tseng, the world's No. 1-ranked golfer, come Sunday at the Springfield, Ill., tournament.
But after three stellar rounds, which included a career-best 64 on Thursday, the American is poised for a breakthrough victory that will put her on the map and solidfy the rising star as perennial tournament contender.
After her brilliant opening round, Kim followed it up with a workmanlike 5-under 67 on Friday en route to a two-stroke lead entering weekend play. That score and lead was more impressive due to the fact Kim has never made a cut at this event.
Saturday she maintainted her steady play, carding a 3-under 69 on the round. But it was two costly bogeys on the back nine that cost her the outright and share of the lead. The final bogey, which came on the 18th, knocked her out of first place for the first time all tournament.
"My ball wasn't going so straight," Kim told The Associated Press, "but my round turned into a good round."
Kim had six birdies on the day, including a three-birdie streak on Nos. 10, 11 and 12 during her round. However, it was the bogeys that burned her asTseng was putting together her bogey-free 66 to assume the lead.
Obviously, the odds are stacked against Kim heading into the final round of play. Being paired with Tseng, who is also the reigning Rolex Player of the Year, is unfavorable. Tseng is probably the best closer in the women's game when she has the lead and has the ability to go low at any moment.
And if Tseng goes on an early birdie run Sunday and puts herself three to four shots ahead of the field before hitting the turn, this tournament is all but over and everyone else will be playing for second.
But unlike the case with Tseng, there's no pressure on Kim at all, giving her the lone advantage she has for the remainder of this tournament. And it might also be the most important factor or edge any player has working herself.
"I'm excited about Sunday," Kim told The Associated Press. "I'm playing with the No. 1 player in the world. I'm very excited to be playing with her. Hopefully it will be a good day."
For it to be a good day, she needs to do exactly what she did the first two rounds: hit her fairways and greens, and keep that hot putter working for her that's carried Kim all week long. If any of those parts to her game are off, it surely will be a long day in the park for Kim.
I picked Kim to win the State Farm Classic prior to the opening round and I'm sticking with her to raise her first LPGA tournament trophy. I just think her lack of experience against a player like Tseng and those lurking just behind them, including former major tournament champions Brittany Lincicome, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Se Ri Pak, plays to her advantage.
Kim has nothing to lose and all to gain, and sometimes that's the best thing anyone could ask for in this situation. She needs to play loose and with confidence. A fast start out of the gate is important to get even or back in front of Tseng. And I think that's exactly what will happen en route to the championship.
PREDICTIONS:
Winner: Mindy Kim
Top five (in order): Kim, Yani Tseng, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, Paula Creamer
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