Mi-Hyun Kim stands taller than many in women’s golf
LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Commissioner Mike Whan, who is believed to have revived the Tour in recent months, seems to be heavily influenced by South Korean Mi-Hyun Kim — just like many others in women’s golf.
Kim boasts a solid profile on the LPGA Tour, as she has won eight titles so far, and she is still as determined to make a name for herself as she was when she turned professional in 1996.
Speaking during the LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012, in which Kim also participated, Whan said that he would like to pay homage to the LPGA titan who has inspired hundreds of golfers, not only in South Korea and the United States, but also across the globe.
Kim hails from Incheon, South Korea, and that is why her presence at the LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012 was given a preferential treatment, with hundreds of local and international spectators appreciating her efforts for golf and the LPGA Tour.
There are only a few female golfers in the world who have acted as a role model—something even the ambitious Whan admitted during his interview.
“First of all, on behalf of literally millions of young women, not only in Korea but around the world, thank you for being the role model that you've been for the last 10 years,” he said.
Kim could not live up to the expectations of her fans at the LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012 as she finished tied for the 61st position after she shot an overall score of 224.
However, there was more to Kim’s appearance than just her performance in the three-round tournament, as Incheon locals gave her a rousing reception on the first and final day.
In addition to proving her mettle on the course, Kim is also known for her social activities off the course. For instance, she reached out to Kansas (US) citizens after they were hit by a tornado in 2007.
Kim gave a sum of $100,000 out of her prize money that she racked up at the SemGroup Championship.
Her fans had already heaped enough praise on her for beating American Juli Inkster in playoff at SemGroup Championship, but her charity work in Kansas helped her win over American fans like never before.
“America fell in love with you (Kim) on the course and even how much you've given back. Every time you've won, what you did back in Kansas I think changed women's golf forever with that donation,” Whan said.
Kim was once known in South Korea as a professional golfer, but when she decided to move to the United States to further her career through the LPGA, no one had imagined that the down-to-earth star would become a golfing icon one day.
“To the fans here in Korea, we want to say thank you (Kim) for letting us borrow her since 1999 and really change the LPGA while she was changing women's golf,” Whan said.
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