Home/Golf

Golf may not be as physically daunting as many of the other sports out there, but it can be extremely demanding mentally. From Rory McIlroy to Lexi Thompson, many big-name golfers have opened up about their difficulties on and off the course.

Despite these strenuous challenges, however, these players have persevered, going on to accomplish amazing feats in the sport. Now, as a veteran LPGA star eyes a win at the ongoing KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, she opened up about her mental health struggles and the mantra that keeps her going!

LPGA sensation sheds light on her game as she targets a major win

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

South Korea’s Jenny Shin is currently on a roll at the Baltusrol Golf Club, the turf for this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Shin, who has previously won once on the LPGA Tour, carded a bogey-free 66 that featured five stunning birdies. At the end of day three of the tournament, the LPGA pro opened up about her process leading up to the year’s second major. So, does Shin think that her hard work is paying off?

I think there’s a progress. I think I’ve put myself in contention a lot more times this year than the past five, six years,” the golfer said in the post-round press conference. Shin had last appeared in the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she tied for the 6th position.

Smarter. Better. Better quality,” revealed the LPGA star as her guiding principle. “So, yeah, I think I am seeing things and doing things a little bit differently.” The 30-year-old further confessed that her approach to golf has significantly changed over the years. While her life used to revolve around the sport in the past, it is just a job for her at the moment.

Also Read: From Nelly Korda to Atthaya Thitikul: All World Class LPGA Players Who Ruthlessly Failed the Majestic Baltusrol Test

Shin, a heavy favorite for the title, now sits one stroke behind leader Leona Maguire. She will be vying to take over from the Irish golfer on Sunday, especially after her slump and ensuing mental health battles over the past couple of years.

Jenny Shin once opened up about her mental health challenges

After her win at the 2006 US Girls’ Junior, many in the golf world eagerly looked forward to what lay in store for Jenny Shin. She eventually burst onto the LPGA scene with a win at the 2016 Volunteers of America Classic but has since failed to emulate those early successes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

USA Today via Reuters

Earlier this year, the LPGA pro opened up about how those career lows affected her mental health. “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,” she shared during the Drive On Championship in March. She also admitted that the game had significantly changed since when she had started playing.

This time around, Shin has a golden chance to turn things around. A win at Baltusrol will not only lead to the golfer nabbing her first major but will also help her earn the biggest share of the $10,000,000 fund, the tournament’s first-ever eight-figure prize purse!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: Amidst the Anger and Confusion of the $3 Billion Deal, It Is the LPGA Tour That Is the Latest Victim of Unfulfilled Promises 

Do you think Shin will be able to win the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship title? Which golfer are you rooting for to win the tournament? Tell us in the comments!