Thirty-six-year-old In Kyung (IK) Kim dropped a bombshell after her remaining spherical at St. Andrews on Sunday, asserting her retirement from the skilled sport.
No person noticed it coming, not even her shut pals, kinfolk, and coaches. Kim knowledgeable them on Saturday night that Sunday’s remaining spherical of the AIG Ladies’s Open can be her final.
“I simply knew when the time can be that I might really feel it, and I’ve been serious about it for the final two years, and the place can be the higher place to play my final 18 holes,” Kim stated.
“And that is my 18th 12 months, and I really feel like all of the holes add as much as 18, and the whole lot retains coming 18, and I used to be like, this should 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 12 months, 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 discovered a lot about ups and downs and settle for some powerful challenges, after which there are some good days, too. And likewise, the connection that I’ve had with R&A has been unbelievable. 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 feel you at all times have given me one thing to consider, and earlier than I got here right here, I didn’t communicate any English. You’ll keep in mind that I had zero English,” Kim stated.
“Now I can communicate English and play golf. And I need to say thanks to everybody. My profession has been a number of up and down however you guys made all of it lovely. Admire it. Thanks.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.