Golf Fans Empathize With Grieving PGA Tour Pro Chan Kim as Friend’s Death Looms Large Over His Latest Feat: ‘People’s Champion’

Sil daMany things are happening at once at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. While Scottie Scheffler tried to fight back his putting demons once again, another golfer was mourning the loss of a dear friend. Revealed after he played the second round, Chan Kim was emotional when he entered the Memorial Park Golf Course Friday and evidently, it has nothing to do with his scores.

Kim, who jumped 59 places to be T20 on the leaderboard after shooting 3 under 67 in round two, had a special moment while playing the 18 holes. In the front nine, after shooting three birdies and one bogey, the South Korean overlooked the par-3 ninth hole. Kim took one shot and the ball reached the greens, bounced once, and made the putt.

He just shot an ace and was extremely happy as he shook hands with his caddie and other golfers. However, after finishing his round, Kim revealed why his celebration was not over the top and a certain someone might have made his glorious shot possible. The PGA Tour shared a post on Instagram of Kim’s in which he was seen speaking about the same: “I had some bad news last night about a friend passing… maybe he was looking down, just trying to give me a miracle.”

It was a beautiful and memorable ace for Kim, a moment he will always cherish and associate with his late friend. After his tribute was shared on social media, it elicited many heartwarming reactions from the golf world.

The golf world reacts as Chan Kim pays tribute to his late friend with his ace

The golf world, at first, did what was expected; they were happy with Chan Kim’s ace at the same time were saddened by hearing the news of his dear friend. Kim’s statement impressed one user so much that they chose to become a supporter of the golfer and stated, “Wish I knew this Kim so I could put that heavenly bet on you my boy. Condolences to everyone affected.”

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This user narrated their story of recently making their first ace on par 4 and shared that watching Kim after it has made them feel something unexplainable. They said, “I hit a hole in one today my first ever on a par 4 265 yard hole and watching this just makes me feel some kind of way!!! RIP soo amazing [his shot].” A fan expressed their condolences and praised the strong bond between Kim and his late friend, saying, “That’s a good friend right there. RIP.” 

The autocorrect didn’t correct the word champion, but that was what the user wanted to say. Kim’s down-to-earth act was deserving of an appropriate title, as this fan declared him, “The People’s Chanpion [champion].” Sports bring many memorable moments to be shared between the fans and the players, Kim’s ace being one, and thus, this fan beautifully said, “And that’s why we love sports.”

The ace will be one of the most memorable moments for Kim in his career and thanks to the friend who, per Kim, helped to have the miraculous hole-in-one!

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