Amateur Kim one off pace at Evian

By Randall Mell

July 28, 2012 at 11:42 AM

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DORAL, FL - MARCH 14: Thomas Aiken of South Africa hits on the 3rd hole during the third round of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa on March 14, 2009 in Doral, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) -

South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim will try to become the first amateur in 43 years to win an LPGA event when she tees it up Sunday at the Evian Masters.

Kim, who turned 17 two weeks ago, is bidding to become just the fifth amateur to win an LPGA event, the first since JoAnne Carner won the Burdine’s Invitational in 1969. Kim is just one shot behind co-leaders Stacy Lewis and Inbee Park.

Kim’s already a sensation back in her homeland, where she won the Korean LPGA’s Lotte Mart Championship in February. In May, she became the youngest winner of a Japan LPGA event, claiming the Suntori Ladies Open.

Here’s the list of LPGA events won by amateurs:

• Polly Riley, 1950 Tampa Open.

• Pat O’Sullivan, 1951 Titleholders Championship.

• Catherine LaCoste, 1967 U.S. Women’s Open.

• JoAnne Carner, 1969 Burdine’s Invitational.