Thirty-six-year-old In Kyung (IK) Kim dropped a bombshell after her ultimate spherical at St. Andrews on Sunday, saying her retirement from the skilled sport.
No one noticed it coming, not even her shut pals, kin, and coaches. Kim knowledgeable them on Saturday night that Sunday’s ultimate spherical of the AIG Ladies’s Open could be her final.
“I simply knew when the time could be that I might really feel it, and I’ve been serious about it for the final two years, and the place could be the higher place to play my final 18 holes,” Kim mentioned.
“And that is my 18th yr, and I really feel like all of the holes add as much as 18, and all the things retains coming 18, and I used to be like, this have to be it.”
The spotlight of Kim’s profession got here at Kingsbarns Golf Membership in 2017, when she gained her solely main title on the Ladies’s British Open. Michelle Wie and Georgia Corridor completed within the prime 5 that yr, whereas Jodi Ewart Shadoff completed runner-up, two strokes behind Kim.
“I really feel this championship has been most difficult, to be trustworthy, as a result of it’s one thing I’ve by no means performed hyperlinks course,” Kim added.
“I’ve realized a lot about ups and downs and settle for some powerful challenges, after which there are some good days, too. And in addition, the connection that I’ve had with R&A has been unimaginable. They’ve at all times been taking care of all of us, they usually have been fairly a mentor for me. So it’s been all good.”
Kim additionally thanked the media and everybody for her assist. She turned emotional in doing so.
“You all have been so grateful to me, and I really feel like my profession can’t be with out all of you. I believe you at all times have given me one thing to consider, and earlier than I got here right here, I didn’t converse any English. You’ll keep in mind that I had zero English,” Kim mentioned.
“Now I can converse English and play golf. And I wish to say thanks to everybody. My profession has been numerous up and down however you guys made all of it stunning. Recognize it. Thanks.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.