Truett McConnell University’s No. 1 women’s golfer MinJi Kang has had one amazing year. Not only did she win this year’s national women’s golf championship, but she has also been named NAIA Freshman and Player of the Year and All-American.
Kang picked up the honors at the NAIA National Championship held May 24-27 at the Lincoln Park Golf Club in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Kang battled through tough weather to finish atop the leaderboard, shooting a 69 in round one, a stellar 66 in round two, and 69 in round three (204), for a total of 12 under par.
“As a coach, when you have the opportunity to coach a player as talented as MinJi, it is a dream come true,” said head coach Steve Patton. “What made it even better is the fact that MinJi is a lady full of humility and kindness. I am so happy for MinJi, our team, and our university to be able to win a national championship!”
Kang now holds two NAIA tournament records, the lowest score in an 18-hole round with a 66 and the lowest total in 36 holes with a 135.
Her national individual title is one of only two individual titles won by TMU athletes in the NAIA: The other national title belongs to freshman track star, Myesha Hall.
🎉🐻⛳️Freshman MinJi Kang being named the 2022 Women’s Golf NAIA National Champion! #WeAreTMU #HistoryBeingMade @GolfTmu pic.twitter.com/qER3gbDkMn
— Truett McConnell Athletics (@TMUBears) May 28, 2022
A ‘key contributor’
Kang was a key contributor to TMU’s historical season, while also receiving multiple awards and breaking multiple individual records. The freshman’s collegiate career began at the Lincoln Memorial Jekyll Island Invite, where she was crowned tournament champion after shooting a 71 and 72 through two rounds while earning a spot on the all-tournament team. Kang continued to shine throughout the regular season, remaining perfect in play with seven consecutive individual wins.
At the Roadrunner Invitational, she tallied her sixth consecutive win while shooting a 68, 65 and 67 through three rounds, a total of 16 under par. Kang concluded the regular season with an overall first-place finish at the AAC Tournament, shooting a 68 and 69 through two rounds to earn her a spot on the all-tournament team and All-Conference First Team, while being named the AAC Player of the Year.
