“PRO” FILE – TOUR PROFESSIONAL CHRISTINA KIM

Golf has its share of feel-good stories, but the LPGA’s Christina Kim’s may be one of the best you’ll find. Kim, the daughter of USGTF professional Man Kim, captured the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in mid November, defeating world #5 Shanshan Feng in a playoff. It was Kim’s first victory in nine years. The win after a long dry spell isn’t what makes this a feel-good story; no, it’s the fact that Kim has battled back from a serious bout with depression. She suffered through various injuries beginning in 2010, which led to her mental struggles.  She almost committed suicide in 2011 in a tournament in Spain, and then shortly thereafter sought treatment.Gradually she got better, and said her 30th birthday in March marked a turning point mentally. As for golf, after no top-10s from 2011-13, she started playing better in 2014 and had two top-10s, including a runner-up finish, coming into the Lorena Ochoa tournament. Today, Kim is in a much better place with both her mental health and golf. Her victory was a popular one, and her fans hope it is the first of many more to come.