When Gina Kim teed it up in the 2025 edition of The Standard Portland Classic, emotions of every kind were weighing on her mind. It had been nine months since she had appeared in an LPGA Tour event, and this time, she had added pressure with a special opportunity as a sponsor exemption.

But Kim also had plenty of positive momentum on her side. The Tuesday before heading to Portland, Ore., the 25-year-old learned that she’d secured her LPGA Tour card for 2026 via the Epson Tour’s season-long Race for the Card.

Now, at The Standard Portland Classic, it was time to sink or swim, as this tournament berth would be the perfect test to see if she could continue an already stellar season against the best golfers in the world.

And it was one that Kim passed with flying colors, as she made her first cut on the biggest stage in women’s golf since November 2024 and ultimately finished in a tie for 11th at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

“It obviously felt really special,” said Kim. “This is technically my first LPGA start of the year, and the fact that I was able to make the cut pretty easily, I think last year, a lot of my anxiety came from not making cuts. It was really cool to see how much my game has progressed within the past year. And just being able to enjoy the experience was really cool.”

The key to her success? A simple reminder that’s often said aloud to herself and her caddie – the golf she’s had success with on the Epson Tour will translate to the LPGA Tour. So, rather than make changes to contend alongside the LPGA’s strongest talents, the Duke University alum stuck to what she knows works in Oregon, a strategy that paid off at The Standard Portland Classic.

“I was busy telling myself and my caddie that this is exactly like an Epson Tour event. There’s just slightly more people and a couple more grandstands,” said Kim. “But the golf is still the same golf that I’ve been playing out on the Epson Tour. It should translate over nicely to the LPGA, and I think that mindset, and that confidence that I gained from the Epson Tour really made all the difference for me.”

Teeing it up knowing she’s headed back to the LPGA in 2026 also didn’t hurt Kim’s self-belief. The four-time Epson Tour winner’s naturally defensive mindset shifted in a more aggressive direction, which allowed her to attack every opportunity she could, something evidenced by the four consecutive under-par rounds she recorded in Portland.

“I think just having that knowledge in the back of my mind freed me up,” said Kim. “I was able to play a lot more aggressively and truly enjoy the opportunity that was given to me. Instead of having to fight for my card, I felt like I was able to play some of the freest golf that I’ve played in a long time, and I think that really showed up in the results.”

Kim was just one stroke shy of earning entry into the CPKC Women’s Open in Canada, a berth she would have received with a top-10 finish, but at the end of the day, the North Carolina native felt like that might have been the universe doing its job.

Traveling without her passport, Kim would have needed to jump through hoops to get to Canada, so instead of dealing with that stress, she’ll have time to take in her success, celebrate with her family and gear up for the final stretch of tournaments on the Epson Tour as she makes one last push to earn Player of the Year honors.

“This probably worked out for the better,” said Kim. “Just being able to have three weeks off to rest and spend some time with my family and be excited about this milestone for me. I think the universe worked it out in a way where I’m not too sad about it. There’s always next year, and I’m excited to go back (to Canada) next year.”

After a few weeks of well-deserved rest, Kim will tee it up on the Epson Tour at the Guardian Championship in Prattville, Ala., from September 12-14.

Gina Kim Finds Confidence, Records Strong Finish at The Standard Portland Classic

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