Kim Repeats as U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion
WPBA U.S. Open / Norman, OK

by InsidePOOL Staff

Ga Young Kim successfully defended her title against all comers during the Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) U.S. Open 9-Ball this past weekend, ultimately fighting off Karen Corr in the finals. The four-day event was hosted by Riverwind Casino in Norman, OK, and featured a 64-player field.

Both Kim and Corr went undefeated through the field until the end. Corr had bested Dana Aft 9-3, Tamara Rademakers 9-3, and Nicole Keeney 9-5 to reach the final 16. There she had a close match with Iris Ranola of the Philippines 9-7. With only eight players left the races were shortened to 7. Corr eliminated Kim Shaw 7-5 and advanced to meet Vivian Villareal, whom she whitewashed 7-0.

Kim’s journey included victories over Veronique Menard 9-2, Dawn Hopkins 9-5, and Monica Webb 9-4. She edged past Webb again in the round of 16 after their hill-hill bout and went on to face Gerda “G-Force” Hofstatter, whom she defeated 7-3. A quick 7-2 drubbing of Julie Kelly put Kim in the finals against “The Irish Invader.”

View the Women’s U.S. Open 9-Ball tournament brackets

The final match went all the way to the hilt, with neither player giving up an inch. Finally, though, Kim broke the last rack and, though she left herself tough on the 9 ball, she dug deep to pocket it and claim her U.S. Open title for the second year in a row.

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