Jenny Shin has withdrawn from the LPGA Maybank Championship before the second round. The South Korean international had yet to hit a tee shot when the news came. She finished 1-over par yesterday after going 4-over par in the last five holes. She bogeyed 14th and 18th and doubled the par-4 16th. 

The LPGA Media tweeted, “Jenny Shin has withdrawn from the Maybank Championship during the second round.” Shin was paired with Esther Henseleit and Auston Kim in the second round of the $3M purse tournament. The immediate reason for her exit is not known. Neither LPGA Media nor Jenny Shin released an official statement when this report went to publication. 

However, the South Korean international made a cryptic tweet less than 24 hours before her exit. Shin tweeted, “Every problem is temporary. Don’t give it too much time and energy. Enjoy what life has to offer while it lasts.” It was not clear whether Shin was talking about a particular problem or meant it as a life lesson. 

The 32-year-old has made 18 cuts this season from 21 appearances, including three top-tens. Her best output came at the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open for a T3. Notably, the one-time LPGA Tour winner previously bowed out of the FM Championship due to an injury.  At that time she tweeted, “Yesterday morning I strained my left QL muscle and even with the best efforts it didn’t get better this morning. Thought taking inflammatory medications and a good warm up could get me through the round but it just wasn’t getting better through the round.

Shin is not the only golfer to exit the Kuala Lumpur event. Alison Lee withdrew before the first round as well. Similar to Shin, there was no major revelation about her withdrawal. Notably, Nelly Korda was also not present in the Asian Swing events as she is recovering from a neck injury. An update is likely to be followed from Jenny Shin, however. She has been candid about her struggles on social media. 

Jenny Shin talked about mental health struggles 

There has been a renewed focus on the mental health of athletes in recent years. Be it Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson in the LPGA Tour, Wyndham Clark, and Bubba Watson on the men’s side, players are opening up about the challenging life of a pro golfer. 

Jenny Shin, talking about her own experience, listed down five challenges. “Living out of a suitcase, dealing with air travel, not having a life routine, Jet Lag and not seeing family.” Add to that the roller coaster ride that most golfers go through in a decade. She, herself, hasn’t won a tournament since 2016. 

Sharing her struggles, Jenny Shin said last year, “It’s been really tough to believe in myself in the past few years because I was going through a really bad slump and I had issues with takeaway, issues with the tee shot… I had a lot going on in the past.” Given her openness with her fans, it is expected Shin would come clean on her exit from the LPGA Maybank Championship.