IK Kim tees off on the 18th hole at the Old Course during this week's AIG Women's Open.
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ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Late Saturday evening, seven-time LPGA winner IK Kim received word that she would tee off Sunday morning at the AIG Women's Open, at 7:10. A cold final round is expected in the wind and rain, not to mention a pre-dawn wake. But before she got into bed, Kim, 36, had an important job to do. He should have warned his loved ones that this final round will take place i the last round. He was retiring.
No one was ready for you. They tried to talk him out. Kim herself, it seems, was undecided until recently. But then Sunday morning came, and Kim, who won the tournament in 2017, stood in front of the bar, made a few birdies, climbed over the Swilcan Bridge, signed a 75 and, with tears in his eyes, explained it. all to Martin Slumbers, outgoing CEO of the R&A.
“He said, 'You caught me off guard,'” Kim said behind him on Sunday. He had caught us everything in surprise. There were no photographers there to document Kim waving at Swilcan Bridge. No reporters can record his every move. And there really wasn't much to catch, because he had been “shy” (his word) to give us time to say goodbye on the bridge. He finished a little before he had to come back in the course to tell the media about his decision.
“Even Alastair [Scott] this morning,” Kim said of the first tee, “he's like, 'Why? You must come back.' It's great when you hear that from people you love.”
Kim better get used to it. He was only able to tell a few coaches, his parents and a best friend Saturday night. He smiled as he said he would have plenty of time to catch up with everyone.
Kim's career is coming to an end. She was in the field thanks to her win at the 2017 Women's Open at Kingsbarns, the crowning achievement of an impressive career. And she can keep playing Women's Opens for decades if she wants to. But he said he really wants to play the Open at Muirfield, in 2022.
“I told Martin Slumbers I won't retire until I play at Muirfield,” he said. “I've been reading about it in Jack Nicklaus' book, and a lot of great players have talked about Muirfield. I wanted to keep going until I played Muirfield. And when I did I felt very satisfied. And at the same time, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life. So I continued until the trail was there.”
“The clue,” Kim said, was all about golf numbers. In his 18th year on the LPGA Tour, after taking up the game at the age of 9, he saw it all lined up, and kept his secret very much to himself.
“I talked to Yani [Tseng] after that he cried and continued, I cried with him,” said Kim. “You never know when it will end. Not just golf and relationships and stuff. We are not here forever. I feel like golf will teach me that soon enough.”
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St. Andrews, with all its sporting meaning, is a popular destination. The Home of Golf saw Tiger Woods speak during his retirement two years ago. (We're not there yet.) It felt like a natural place for Lydia Ko (this week's contestant) to cover it, too. (When asked about it, he said it wouldn't happen.) Jack Nicklaus played his last Open at St. Andrews in 2005 as did Tom Watson in 2015. Catriona Matthew bid adieu in the Women's Open two days ago.
That goodbye usually comes with some form. A warning. Time to prepare. Kim's will go down as one of the greatest slogans. Without much preparation, the press officers asked two natural questions.
What's next?
“Fortunately, I have many interests. I don't know. I will have to ask people.”
What are you proud of?
“I am very proud of the hard work I have done. I didn't have much talent or talent but I loved the game. I was willing to travel anywhere to play golf and learn the game. And I wanted to thank all the girls here. I learned a lot from them. So, I think it's their relationship. “
Here, his voice began to tremble. He wiped away a few tears and thanked him one last time.
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