A-rim Kim "Gifted Hope Amid the COVID-19 National Crisis"

In Major US Women's Open, 'Non-Member Comeback Victory'; Park Seri's 'Barefoot Shot' During 1998 IMF Bailout Crisis

Kim A-rim cheers after making a birdie on the 18th hole on the final day of the 75th US Women's Open. Houston, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Korean women's golf has once again delivered an emotional moment.

It was a victory delivered amid the national crisis of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The protagonist is the long hitter Arim Kim (25, SBI Savings Bank). On the 15th (Korean time), at the Cypress Creek Course (par 71, 6,731 yards) of the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, USA, the final major of the 2020 LPGA Tour, the 75th US Women's Open (total prize money $5.5 million), she completed a thrilling come-from-behind victory (3-under 281).

Starting from a tie for 10th place, 5 strokes behind, she swept up 6 birdies (2 bogeys). In particular, she showed a fierce finishing power by making 3 consecutive birdies on holes 16 to 18. She tasted the joy of her 11th career win and became the third Korean player to win as a non-member after So-yeon Ryu (30, Mediheal) in 2011 and In-ji Jeon (26, KB Financial Group) in 2015. She is the fifth player in history to win on her first appearance, following Patty Berg (1946), Kathy Cornelius (1956), Ju-yeon Kim (39, 2005), and In-ji Jeon (2015).

Arim Kim sent a message of hope to Korea, which is struggling due to COVID-19. She was a player with only 2 wins on the KLPGA Tour and ranked just 94th in the world. No one considered her a favorite to win. However, she signaled an upset by shooting 3-under on the first day and surged with 4-under on the final day to become the 'Major Queen.' She said, "I still feel a bit dazed," and added, "I hope my play today can be a real source of hope and good energy for someone."

This is a scene of Park Seri playing a trouble shot from a pond on the 18th hole during the 1998 US Women's Open playoff.

Golf also created drama 22 years ago in 1998. At that time, the country was on the brink of bankruptcy. In November 1997, Korea received bailout funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), marking the worst economic situation. At a time when the national pride was at its lowest, a 'hero' emerged. That was Se-ri Pak (43, retired). She is a 'living legend' who won 25 career victories, the most by a Korean player, including 5 majors on the LPGA Tour.

In the 1998 US Women's Open, she showed a 'barefoot fighting spirit.' After a 92-hole marathon battle over 5 days with Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand), she reached the top. The playoff was the highlight. On the 18th hole (par 4), her tee shot hooked into a pond on the left side of the fairway. Pak took off her socks and entered the water to play a trouble shot on the ball resting on the edge of the pond, managing to save par. She then made the winning birdie on the second playoff hole.

Her tanned face and starkly contrasting white feet left a strong impression on golf fans worldwide. She became a symbol of hope for Korea, which was struggling during the IMF economic crisis. After the 'barefoot shot,' a golf craze swept Korea, and 'Seri Kids' like In-bi Park (32, KB Financial Group) and Ji-ae Shin (32) emerged. Pak said, "The US Women's Open is something I will never forget," and described the pond shot as "the best shot of my life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.