USA Today via Reuters
Jun 3, 2022; Southern Pines, North Carolina, USA; Danielle Kang reacts after hitting a tee shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 3, 2022; Southern Pines, North Carolina, USA; Danielle Kang reacts after hitting a tee shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
As the 2023 Solheim Cup gears up in Southern Spain, all seems perfect: pristine weather with a flawless golf course. But LPGA star Danielle Kang faces an unprecedented challenge. Kang, who clinched the title at the 2017 Women’s PGA Championship, is gearing up for the patriotic showdown. At Finca Cortesin in Malaga, Spain, the venue for this year’s Solheim Cup, the LPGA star opened up about the mishap.
The U.S. team is chasing the Solheim Cup, a title they haven’t captured in six years. Facing one of the most significant tournaments of the year, Kang encountered an unforeseen challenge. While it is not the first time she has faced this, she is navigating the situation with grace and optimism even with challenging times.
Danielle Kang faces unforeseen challenges before the patriotic showdown
With the 2023 Solheim Cup merely days away, LPGA star Danielle Kang is faced with an unprecedented challenge. Facing one of the most significant tournaments of the year, Kang encountered an unforeseen challenge: her golf clubs had vanished.
Turning to social media, Kang expressed her inconvenience on Monday, trying to catch the attention of her airline. It seemed that Kang’s clubs had been missing every potential flight departing from Amsterdam, which was the last confirmed location of her bag. She’s currently without 13 of her 14 golf clubs, with only her putter successfully arriving in Andalucia, Spain.
Currently, at Finca Cortesin in Malaga, Spain, the venue for this year’s Solheim Cup, the LPGA’s star is managing the situation with grace. Her putter is beside her for the tournament, but the reason behind its special accommodation is hilarious.
USA Today via Reuters
LPGA, Golf Damen Marathon LPGA Classic – Final Round, Aug 9, 2020 Sylvania, OH, USA Danielle Kang from Las Vegas, Nevada, hits her approach shot on the7th hole during the final round of the Marathon LPGA Classic golf tournament at Highlands Meadows Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports, 09.08.2020 15:17:27, 14720087, Final Round, Danielle Kang, Las Vegas, LPGA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarcxLebrykx 14720087| Credits: Imago
Kang responded, “I do travel with my putter separately… because I don’t have the means to get my putter checked every week and, yes, the clubs do get bent on the plane and, yes, they matter, to all the people wondering.”
Getting to Southern Spain from the United States is no straightforward journey. Kang began her trip from Las Vegas, her home city, and took a stopover at Amsterdam. When she arrived in Malaga, her golf clubs unfortunately were missing.
Addressing the media she mentioned, “It’s been an adventure. It wouldn’t be my life without a dramatic entrance, so it’s okay. It’s all good,” Kang said in a press conference Tuesday. “It is what it is. You just kind of roll with the punches. It’s life, it’s golf, you know, it’s okay.”
Just been told that a back-up set of clubs for Danielle Kang is arriving at Finca Cortesin at 9pm tonight. They fear her original clubs have been lost entirely, or are certainly irrecoverable by Friday. Currently chipping with spare wedges while rest of US team play the course.
— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) September 19, 2023
Speaking about the support she’s received, Kang shared, “My captain, Stacy [Lewis], has been absolutely incredible, The entire U.S. team has been helping me. Everyone’s on top of it… My sponsor Titleist made up a second set that’s flying in temporarily tonight, and then Ping has made me a temporary set today that I got to play with, so we can at least test out the golf course.”
Receiving support during tough times
Interestingly, this isn’t Kang’s first encounter with such an issue. She had previously faced a similar situation earlier in the summer when British Airways misplaced her clubs ahead of the AIG Women’s Open. However, sounding a note of optimism, Kang voiced, “So, thankfully, the putter didn’t get lost. But it’s okay. The other 13 (clubs) are coming. It’s coming. We have faith. (Lewis) is on it.”
As of Tuesday, Kang’s clubs remain missing. However, she’s fortunate to have supportive sponsors stepping up during this predicament. As the Solheim Cup is nearing, we can’t wait to witness this patriotic showdown and watch who shines and comes out on top!
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