In-Kyung Kim donates Lorena Ochoa Invitational winnings to charity
South Korean golfer In-Kyung Kim won her third event on the LPGA Tour this past weekend when she shot a final round 64 to beat out Suzann Petterson by three shots to capture the Lorena
Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico. But the difference between this win and her previous triumphs is that this time, she didn’t keep any of the winnings. She gave them to charity.
Kim, who earned $220,000 for her efforts, said directly after the win that she would be donating half to the Lorena Ochoa Foundation and the other half to an American charity yet to be
determined. It was a visit to one of Ochoa’s events that helped Kim make the generous decision.
"I went to Lorena’s party and I saw the kids and how she is helping kids with her foundation." Kim told reporters after the win. "I decided if I win, I will be giving all the money to
people who need help."
Kim said that she herself received help from others in her quest to come to the U.S. as a professional golfer. It is her personal story that has made her realize everybody needs a helping
hand from time to time.
"We weren't really rich, but it takes a lot of money to send me to the U.S. and go to school and all that," said Kim. "But there is one person who helped my parents, and if he didn't help
my parents, or if he didn't help me coming to the U.S., I wouldn't really be here. Everyone needs help. I think that's why I'm all about that."
Ochoa, considered the best Mexican golfer of all-time, male or female, announced her abrupt retirement from the game last April after going three straight years as the world’s number-one
ranked female golfer. She wanted to spend more time with her family in her native Mexico and focus her efforts on her foundation, which benefits Mexican children and teenagers in need. Kim counts Ochoa as one of her idols.
"She's just down to earth," Kim said. "She is always there. She is not just a great golfer. She has great warm heart. So that's why she's my idol. I don't have many idols."
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