Talk of the Tour: Come On, Christina!

The Golf Gods owe us this one.

My favorite story to come out of the major tours over the weekend certainly isn't the biggest.

Erstwhile LPGA star Christina Kim didn't win Sunday’s North Texas LPGA Shootout. But in finishing T11 she showed a glimmer of the flashy form that has won fans around the world. Her 6-under par can certainly stir hope in a player who has fallen from the top to occupy number 209 on the Rolex World Rankings.

I had the honor of sitting next to Christina Kim at the gala dinner prior to the start of the 2011 Solheim Cup. Well aware of her sometimes over-the-top exuberance, I was unsure what to expect. I quickly found her to be friendly, genuine, intelligent, well read and conversant on a number of topics in and out of golf. Not only did she eagerly talk; she also listened.

A few days later, U.S. team captain Rosie Jones sat Christina for both sessions on Saturday (a move that would haunt Jones later when injured Christie Kerr couldn't post up for Sunday's singles matches). But instead of moping on the sidelines, Christina came onto the course. We were chatting beside the third green when she pointed to a golf cart stuck in the mud.

“That's one of our assistants,” she cried, dashing off to help.

I took off after her, arriving to find US assistant captain Sherri Steinhauer mired in the mud. Christina and I tried lifting to no avail. Then she volunteered to put her foot under the wheel for traction. Sherri and I vetoed that idea. Finally we flagged down several fans and together got the vehicle rolling again, though it left us splattered in mud, which she wore with pride.

The Golf Gods owe us this one. Here's to this weekend's showing being the beginning of Christina Kim’s rejuvenation.

 

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.

 

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