Jin Young Pak

Shot 143 at the Dunwoody (Ga.) Country Club, sectional to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Women's Open. Also qualified for the 2011 U.S. Women's Open.
Started playing golf at the age of 13. Credits her father as the individual most influencing her career. Decided to join the Futures Tour for 2005, and began training hard even before she had graduated from high school. Her regimen included hitting 1,000 golf balls a day and practicing her English three times a week. She decided to come over to America to further her career, and so moved to Florida and spent five months honing her game at the George Beardsley Golf School in Tampa. She completed her high school education by correspondence and received her degree in February, 2005. Barely a month later, she played her first Futures Tour event. She was just hoping to make the cut, but after two rounds, found herself in contention. Despite shaking from nerves, she outlasted several other golfers to capture her first professional win in her first pro tournament, the Lakeland Futures Golf Classic in Lakeland, Fla. In 2005 she played in 18 events on the Futures tour.
In 2006, competed in 19 events on the Futures Tour and recorded a season-best second at the Jalapeno Futures Golf Classic; tied for 18th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn non-exempt status for the 2007 LPGA season.
In 2007, best finish was a tie for 11th at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic; despite that did not retain playing status for the 2008 LPGA season; suffered injuries through the year.
In 2008, finished fifth on the Duramed Futures Tour season-ending money list on the strength of eight top-10 finishes to earn Priority List Category 9 for the 2009 LPGA season.
In 2009, recorded a career-best tie for ninth at the McDonald's LPGA Championship, her first appearance at a major championship.
In 2010 she played in 9 LPGA events and missed 6 cuts, best finish tied for 53rd at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge. She went back to Qualifying School in the Fall, and finished tied for 14th to earn full membership on tour in 2011.
In 2011, best finish was a tie for 15th at the ShopRite LPGA Classic; tied for 25th at the Navistar LPGA Classic.
Best finish so far in 2012 is a tie for 23rd at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.