Alim Kim. [AFP=연합뉴스]
– Interview with Alim Kim, who won the US Open at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, USA on the 15th.
-The winning impressions.
“It’s glorious, and I still don’t feel that I have won. It’s awkward because the atmosphere is different from the previous championship, and because of the corona, we won in a different environment.”
-It was the last three holes in a row that was hard to believe.
“I hit the 16th hole at 182 yards in the headwind with a par 3 and 5 iron. I put in a pin that was slightly past three yards. The 17th hole tee shot with a utility club, and the 8th iron was used to catch a birdie. The 18th hole was hit with a 3rd wood and a 48 degree wedge to catch a birdie.”
-What is the difference between the US and Korean environments?
“First of all, Bermuda grass is unfamiliar in Korea. This was the first time I saw a lawn with pressure on the floor when I hit the iron. In that sense, I felt it was a lawn that could be painted more elaborately. I felt that I would be happy if I practice here.”
-How and when did you start playing golf, and who inspired you?
“The player I liked from childhood was Annika Sorenstam. In fact, I started playing golf with my father. I started a pro turn because of my desire to do what I like well, and I’ve come so far.”
-Do you remember when Se-ri Park won?
“When I started, it was a long time after Pak Se-ri won. Professional Park Se-ri was still playing in the LPGA.”
-Did you continue playing while watching the leaderboard today?
“I saw. I also knew how many shots were the difference between the lead. So I hit it more aggressively.”
-When the contest started, what was your goal?
“I wasn’t able to adjust to the course yet, so I wondered how to get a good shot on the fairway, how to get the ball on the fairway, and how to make a more sophisticated approach around the green. As time passed, the feeling began to come a little, and the approach around the green became less scary, so I was able to shoot more actively.”
-I dropped my mobile phone in the caddy bag. Have you received a lot of congratulatory messages since then? Is it the first time in America?
“Rather than a congratulatory message,’I saw it well’. There were many messages saying’It was cool’. I received a lot of encouragement because the winning situation was not decided. The United States has been in field training for about 4 years. I practiced in Palm Springs.”
-You wore a mask during the game, but did you do that as usual?
“I practiced steadily. It’s not scary that I get caught, because it’s a situation where I can harm someone else. I thought this would be the best and practiced at the risk of being uncomfortable.”
-I got an LPGA tour card while winning, but are you willing to participate from next year?
“I think it’s a problem to think about.”
-How are you going to celebrate.
“I think I’m going to eat something delicious once. I think I will go and congratulate you by talking about what happened today and what happened in America. Finally, I gave all the glory to God, and it seems that I won because I did well rather than because I did well. I sincerely thank the sponsors who trust me to the end. I am grateful for being able to play like this in this situation, and I hope my play will be hope and energy for someone.
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