Major champion announces shock retirement aged 36

First, it was Catriona Matthew’s turn to wave farewell to top-level women’s professional golf on Friday. Now, another major champion has called time on her career. 

IK Kim, who won the AIG Women’s Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links in 2017, announced that she is hanging up her clubs following her final round at St Andrews today.

The 36-year-old carded a three-over 75 to finish on 11-over in the last major of the year.

According to Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols, Kim – who hit the first shot of this year’s Women’s Open at the Old Course on Thursday morning – had kept her plans to herself until she completed the championship.

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Speaking to reporters on the ground,  she expanded on her reasons.

“I’ve been thinking about it for the last two years, and where would be the better place to play my last 18 holes?” said Kim. “This is my 18th year, and I feel like all the holes add up to 18 and everything keep coming 18, and I was like, it must be it.

“I wanted to play 18 years on the LPGA, and I have accomplished that.”

“I’m most proud of the hard work that I’ve put in. I wasn’t most talented or most gifted but I loved the game. I was willing to travel anywhere to play golf and learn the game, and I want to thank all the girls here. I’ve learned so much from them.”

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Kim, who turned professional in 2006 and won seven times on the LPGA, added that one of the first people she shared the news with was outgoing R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers.

The pair formed a friendship after playing together in the AIG Women’s Open Pro-Am in 2018, when Kim was the defending champion.

“He’s been so great for women’s golf, and he really cares for girls’ game,” she added. “It really inspired me that he cares and that’s been why I feel like he’s been such a great role model and great leader for the R&A.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor