Source: Auston Kim
When my final putt dropped at the 72nd hole of the Epson Tour Championship, a myriad of emotions flooded through me. Triumph, euphoria, and the biggest sense of accomplishment I’d ever felt. It took 21 events, more than 25 weeks away from home, and a win at the final event of the season to achieve the year long goal of earning my LPGA card.
I started playing golf at the age of five. My older sister played competitively at an early age, but I was the younger sibling that tagged along. It took a few years for me to get serious about improving. And it took several more years to fall in love with the game. Some time in high school, things began to click. I was determined to be the best golfer I could be and play at the professional level after college.
I earned status on the Epson Tour before my final year at Vanderbilt. The timing was perfect - once I graduated I would go straight to the pro circuit and compete every week. But the transition was anything but smooth. My half season on the Epson Tour from May to October 2022 was incredibly tough.
I went from playing a maximum of two tournaments a month to competing weekly, with very few breaks in between. From a highly monitored team culture to an individual career. Difficulties lurked around every corner in unfamiliar territory.
While I made it to the final stage of qualifying school at the end of the season, I ended up one shot short of an LPGA card after bogeying my final hole of the year. It was a gutting way to end an already difficult year. But the set back made me more determined to bounce back.
I decided to flip the script and focus on what I could control. Yes, I missed my LPGA card by one shot, but I was not ready to play on the LPGA yet. A full season on the Epson Tour would be a valuable experience for me to grow even more.
I spent the next three months building good habits, forging discipline, and stacking bricks. It was nothing but unglamorous work and sticking to a daily routine. I’d wake up at the same time every morning, go practice, work out, read, rest, and repeat the next day.
After some time to reflect on my first half season as a pro, I knew I needed to put some serious work ahead of the new year. It wasn’t just about improving my technical skills. I felt like I wanted to grow my dedication to the game. I also wanted more time “pounding the stone”, so to speak.
And when the first event of the year arrived, I was ready. I started the year with a solid top-10. So I kept going. Every week was an opportunity to learn more about myself and how to succeed as a professional.
Another top -10 two weeks later. Then another. I kept learning more about myself and leaned on the good habits I’d built earlier in the year.
Around the halfway point of the season, several hurdles appeared in my path. I was nervous about the end of the season and how things would shake up. Earning my LPGA card was within reach, but would require some solid golf through the last events of the year. A handful of tough weeks emerged and I struggled to play golf as freely as I did during the first half of the year. Eventually, I recognized this as an opportunity to refocus and commit to better habits. I knew the setbacks would eventually help me improve.
My game started to turn around with five events left in the season. I earned a couple of solid finishes, but I was still on the outside looking in heading into Tour Championship. Despite what was at stake, I was able to perform. I played some of the best golf of my life and won when it counted. I will always be proud of my performance that week, as it is an amalgamation of all the hard work my team and I put in through the years. With their support, I earned my LPGA Tour card for the 2024 season.
Source: Auston Kim
I learned a lot about myself and competing at the professional level on the Epson Tour. There are so many talented athletes working extremely hard to make it on the LPGA. The competition is just as fierce and the ability runs deep.
Playing at this level not only requires discipline and sacrifices, but also a strong support system. None of my achievements would have been possible without my family and my team. It is so important to surround yourself with people that you trust and make you better. I’ve been blessed with family members who support me unconditionally.
Yes, golf is an individual sport. At the end of the day, I am the one hitting the golf ball. But there are so many people that are hard at work behind every golfer. You may see a player hitting golf balls on the range. But standing behind her are her caddie, mental coach, physio, manager, parents, etc.
A career on the LPGA Tour is virtually impossible without a strong team.
Your team will undoubtedly be there to embrace you during the good times. But a player is truly blessed when their team continues to encourage them when things inevitably get tough.
Throughout the span of a season, there will be good weeks and there will be bad weeks. Golf will suddenly get challenging and things won’t be easy. Circumstances will make the mental aspect of the game more difficult than ever. And in these moments, it is crucial to have the right people around you. People who can help you stand up again and fight harder than ever before.
I credit my family with getting me through some of the toughest weeks in my career. I wouldn’t be where I am without my parents and sister. They pick me up after I stumble and I am proud of crediting my success to them. For these reasons, they make those moments of triumph that much sweeter.
Golf is not an easy game. Being a professional golfer is not an easy career path either. But with the support of my family, swing coach, mental coach, caddie, and physio, I am able to work hard in pursuit of greatness. Every day becomes an opportunity to be the best version of myself.
My first season the LPGA was one to remember. There were many unique challenges, as I felt like a freshman in college again. Basically every aspect of LPGA Tour life was unfamiliar to me. However, I got to compete on the best tour in the world. I learned even more about myself and my game. Specifically, what works for me and what doesn’t. I sought advice from veteran players and got to ask them questions about their experiences on tour.
To say I’m grateful for my rookie season the LPGA is an understatement. This entire year was like a dream.
And throughout 2024, I’d find myself thinking about my win at the Epson Tour Championship too. I wouldn’t be in this position had I not performed well at such a crucial moment. I am extremely proud of that performance and how much of a grind my rookie year on the LPGA was. Each stage of my career has shaped me to become the athlete I am today. And I cannot wait to see where this game takes me.
Apr 20, 2024; The Woodlands, Texas, USA; Auston Kim (USA) drives off the first tee during the third round of The Chevron Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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