Danielle Kang joined the LPGA Tour in 2012. Already securing a T3 finish in her rookie season, she continued her form through most of 2013 as she secured another top-10 finish. Kang had her father’s complete support through most of the first two years of her LPGA career. But the 32-year-old American pro was left in tears by November 2013. Her father, K.S. Kang had passed away from cancer, and she spiraled into frustration and anger. 11 years later, Kang shared a glimpse of the incident as she left a positive message for her followers.

A father, a caddie, a coach, and her biggest fan, K.S. Kang, ensured that his daughter had everything she needed to find success in golf. Ever since a very young age, Danielle Kang and her brother Alex were interested in golf. During their trips to Busan, where their father worked, they used to visit a golf course to hone their skills. K.S. Kang also got the opportunity to watch his children practice on the field a few times. That’s possibly when he decided to support their careers in the sport.

During Danielle Kang’s amateur years, her father stood by her as her caddy as she took on the biggest challenges of her teenage years. An 18-year-old Danielle Kang listened to her father’s advice and focused on her goal of getting more “TV time” and also winning the 2010 U.S. Women’s Amateur tournament. A year later, her father helped her calm down as she jokingly suggested that he should wear the ring if Kang retains the title. And so he did, as Danielle Kang gifted her winner’s ring to her dad after becoming the champion.

Two years later, K.S. Kang passed away. Danielle Kang shared a story on her Instagram in memory of her father a few hours ago; a part of the caption read, “11 years ago today marks the worst day of our lives.” Kang has had many moments of anger, regret, triumph, and peace; she was upset about failing to win a trophy as a pro when her father was still alive. Kang lost her focus, motivation, and passion to play the sport, and once she confessed what she was going through, her mother Grace suggested that she should maybe stop playing golf altogether.

Danielle Kang gave up on golf. She stepped away from the LPGA Tour and shifted her focus to her life, but that is when she learned how much she actually loved the sport. Kang’s resurgence into golf with a newfound love and passion for the sport helped her overcome these setbacks; she returned with new goals in her mind.

Danielle Kang’s redemption

Ever since she came back, Danielle Kang decided to fulfill her father’s dream, which was to see her reach the pinnacle of golf. Kang dedicated her career to her father, as she went on to win 6 LPGA events. Her biggest win came in 2017 as she captured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She fought through the pain and became the champion her father always knew she could be.

Her brother, Alex Kang, also joined the PGA Tour. The siblings have overcome most of the goals they had planned to achieve. Hence, the second part of the caption on Danielle Kang’s story accurately states, “But @alexkang1234 and I are making sure to live that little bit of extra life for you every day❤️” as they are still on the path that they had begun with their father, K.S. Kang.

You can follow the journey of Danielle Kang on her Instagram @daniellekang.