Auston Kim Bio
Auston Kim, born on August 16, 2000, is an American professional golfer and LPGA Tour player. She turned professional in 2022 after a distinguished college career at Vanderbilt University and quickly rose through the ranks on the Epson Tour. In 2023, Kim earned a breakthrough victory at the Epson Tour Championship, finishing third in the rankings to secure her LPGA Tour card for the 2024 season. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and based in St. Augustine, Florida, she continues to build her reputation as one of the promising young players in women’s golf.
Known for her composure under pressure and steady ball-striking, Kim has already posted notable results in major championships during her early LPGA career. Her path from Long Island, New York, to the biggest stages in women’s golf reflects years of disciplined training and competitive success at every level she has played.
Early Life and Background
Auston Kim was born on August 16, 2000, in Long Island, New York, to her mother, Piljo, and her father, Christopher. She grew up in a family with a strong connection to competitive golf, an environment that helped shape her early interest in the sport. In 2011, Kim and her family relocated to St. Augustine, Florida, where she continued to develop her game and refine her competitive skills.
She attended Allen D. Neese High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and graduated in 2017. Kim has an older sister, August, who was a First Team All-American at Purdue University and played professionally for five years on the Symetra and LPGA Tours before attending Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Growing up with a sister who pursued a professional golf career gave Kim a firsthand look at the demands of the game and helped fuel her own ambitions.
Path to Professional Golf
Kim committed to Vanderbilt University, where she played for the Vanderbilt Commodores women’s golf team from 2018 to 2022. During her time in Nashville, she earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team and was recognized as an honorable mention All-American. She was also named to the Annika Award Watch List, an honor given to the top college players in the country. Kim graduated in 2022 with a degree in political science and a concentration in American government, balancing academic excellence with a high level of athletic performance.
After completing her college career, Kim decided to pursue golf full time and turned professional in 2022. She joined the Epson Tour, the official developmental circuit of the LPGA, to begin her professional journey. Her amateur résumé and strong college resume positioned her as a player to watch, and she wasted little time in delivering results once she joined the professional ranks.
Auston Kim Career
Epson Tour Career (2022–2023)
Kim began her professional career on the Epson Tour in 2022, working to gain experience and sharpen her competitive edge against seasoned professionals. The 2023 season proved to be a turning point in her young career, as she recorded ten top-10 finishes, including a runner-up result at the Island Resort Championship. Her consistency throughout the year allowed her to climb the rankings and put herself in position to compete for a full LPGA Tour card.
The biggest moment of Kim’s Epson Tour tenure came at the 2023 Epson Tour Championship, where she claimed her first professional victory. The win capped a strong campaign and helped her finish third in the final Epson Tour rankings, earning a full LPGA Tour card for the 2024 season. The breakthrough validated years of hard work and marked her official arrival as a professional golfer.
LPGA Tour Rookie Season (2024)
Kim made her LPGA Tour debut at the LPGA Drive On Championship, where she opened her rookie season with a strong performance. She shot a 64 in the third round and finished tied for sixth place, an impressive start that announced her arrival on the biggest stage in women’s golf. The result gave her early momentum and confidence heading into the rest of her rookie campaign.
Later in the 2024 season, Kim recorded a solo third-place finish at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii, another standout result that demonstrated her ability to compete deep into major tournaments. She ended her rookie year ranked 66th on the LPGA Tour money list and finished sixth in the Rookie of the Year race, comfortably securing her playing status for the 2025 season. Her first year on tour was a clear sign of her long-term potential.
2025 Season and Major Championship Performances
In 2025, Kim has continued to elevate her game and earn meaningful results in the biggest events on the LPGA calendar. She finished tied for second at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her best major championship result to date, signaling her growing comfort on golf’s grandest stages. The performance established her as a rising contender in major championships and confirmed her status as a player to watch in the seasons ahead.
Kim also competed in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, where she finished tied for 31st, and the 2025 Evian Championship, where she ended the week tied for 43rd. Earlier in her LPGA career, she recorded a tied 30th finish at the 2024 Chevron Championship and a tied 78th result at the 2024 Women’s British Open, giving her experience across all five of the LPGA’s major championships. Her consistent appearances in majors reflect her growing presence at the top of the women’s game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kim’s most significant milestone to date is her victory at the 2023 Epson Tour Championship, the win that earned her LPGA Tour membership and launched her professional career on the top tour. Her solo third-place finish at the 2024 Lotte Championship and her tied second at the 2025 Women’s PGA Championship stand out as signature results that have defined her early LPGA journey. Each performance has reinforced her reputation as a player capable of competing at the highest level of women’s golf.
Auston Kim Career Wins
Auston Kim’s professional career features one verified victory on the Epson Tour, the official developmental tour of the LPGA. Her success in developmental and major events has positioned her as a rising talent within the women’s professional golf landscape.
Epson Tour Highlights
Kim claimed her first professional title at the 2023 Epson Tour Championship, a win that served as the centerpiece of her breakthrough season. She added a runner-up finish at the Island Resort Championship and ten top-10 results to her résumé that year. Her strong play across the season earned her a third-place finish in the final Epson Tour rankings and a full LPGA Tour card for 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond her Epson Tour victory, Kim’s most notable performances have come on the LPGA Tour, including a solo third at the 2024 Lotte Championship and a tied second at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Her results in major championships across the 2024 and 2025 seasons further demonstrate her ability to compete with the world’s best players.
Auston Kim Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Auston Kim was raised by her mother, Piljo, and her father, Christopher, in a family that valued both education and competitive sport. She has an older sister, August Kim, who played college golf as a First Team All-American at Purdue University and spent five years playing professionally on the Symetra and LPGA Tours. August later enrolled at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, continuing a family tradition of academic and athletic excellence.
Personal Life
Kim currently resides in St. Augustine, Florida, the city where she lived after her family moved from Long Island, New York, in 2011. Her college degree in political science with a concentration in American government from Vanderbilt University reflects her interests beyond golf. She remains focused on her professional career and continues to build her presence in women’s professional golf.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a breakthrough year for Auston Kim on the LPGA Tour, headlined by her tied second-place finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The result marked her best major championship performance and signaled her arrival as a consistent contender on the biggest stages in women’s golf. She also added a tied 31st finish at the U.S. Women’s Open and a tied 43rd at the Evian Championship, rounding out a strong major championship campaign.
Building on the foundation she established during her rookie season, Kim has shown greater poise and consistency in 2025. Her earlier experiences, including a solo third at the 2024 Lotte Championship and a tied sixth at the LPGA Drive On Championship, have clearly contributed to her improved play this year. With full LPGA Tour status and growing confidence, she has positioned herself as a player to watch in the latter half of the season.
Looking ahead, Kim’s momentum in 2025 suggests she will continue to compete for titles and high finishes in the events remaining on the LPGA schedule. Her combination of power, course management, and mental toughness has translated into results against the world’s top players. If her current trajectory continues, she is well placed to remain a fixture on leaderboards throughout the rest of 2025 and beyond.