The 21-year-old had an amazing run throughout the tournament staying on top of the leaderboard for most part of the tournament. Not a very big name in the Ladies European Tour, Kim had arrived at this tournament as an outsider. Golf in Dubai gave her an invitation to participate in the tournament and Kim made most of the opportunity winning the title. “I am very excited to win this week,” she said immediately after her triumph on Sunday.

“It is great that I got an invitation this week. The tournaments are very organised and the golf course conditions are good, even though the weather is windy or raining, but condition-wise it is great. I always wanted to come here since they started this tournament. I just enjoy it so much. I’m very pleased to be here and that’s the reason I played so well. This was my third year on the Tour and I just learned so much. I improved since I started on the Tour, and I’m trying to get better. I think that the Tour gets tougher and players get better. So I think it’s good for the ladies golf.”

Kim’s growth in the game has been very inspiring. After spending almost her entire amateur golf career playing in South Korea, she was virtually unknown when she came to USA in 2005 to play a few tournaments. But by the end of the summer, she had carved a niche for herself winning three junior events. She even took everybody by surprise winning the US Girl’s Junior tournament, the most prestigious junior golf event for girls in the world.

“I started golf when I was nine years old. Actually I wanted to start earlier, but my dad didn’t let me play, because I was an only child and golf wasn’t popular at the time. But I started and happened to play some tournaments. I was very competitive, so after that, I put all my time in golf. So that’s how it all got started.

“I came to the US when I was 16. I played in some USPGA events. I won the US Juniors and I happened to try Q School and be on the Tour and get a card.”

She won the 2006 Futures Tour Q-School, then, a few weeks later, finished co-medallist at LPGA Q-School as well. She turned pro right after LPGA Q-School, and had full exempt status on tour in 2007. “Yes, it’s not fun, actually. When you think about it, you put all of the hard work into one tournament, and there is only one tournament like it. It’s nerve wracking, but I played well in Q-School. But you have to prepare yourself for it and that’s all I tried. It was great that I won and I’m here now.”

From there to achieving success in Dubai, Kim has covered the long distance in a very short span. That’s why she put Dubai’s win as a special one. “Well, every time is different. I had a one-shot lead on my first win and this year I was three or five shots behind. And it was the first time I had a three-shot lead. But winning, it just means a lot. I can’t say which one is the biggest, but definitely very special,” said Kim, who notched up her third professional victory.

She was also lucky to have Terry McNamara as her caddie, who was with Annika Sorenstam before she retired last year. “He helped me with the plan on the golf course and with breathing. We talked a lot and kept me focussed. We just played our game and we also had some fun. So it was great.”

On how she met McNamara she said: “Well, we just were working last week for the Korean event and he worked for me this week. Actually my manager called him and he accepted. So I was very happy with that. Hopefully we can keep working together.”

Her success depends much on the way she carries herself on the course. She has matured more than her age and is very composed and relaxed at any situation. She proved that at the Dubai Ladies Masters when Wie was narrowing the lead on the final day. “A lot of work on and off the golf course. But I tried to enjoy my game all week and I made good putts and hit some good shots the last two days. I wasn’t nervous at all actually. I was nervous some moments, but I had a plan and I just stuck to it and played my game.”

Kim got richer by 75,000 euros after winning this tournament, but her focus is now to win a Major. “Yes, I’d love to win the major tournaments. Actually I plan my schedule to be peak 100 per cent on the Majors. I did pretty good this year and hopefully next year I do something differently, I do have a feeling for it and I think I can do it,” she said.