Former professional golfers enjoy life in retirement

Kim Ha-neul, left, and Choi Na-yeon pose for a photo at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju on May 17. [KPGA]

Former professional golfers Kim Ha-neul and Choi Na-yeon are enjoying their retirement as they enjoy trying out hobbies that they were unable to enjoy before they left the field.

Kim and Choi have been close friends since before they made their pro debut.

Kim retired from the sport in 2021 after winning eight KLPGA and six JLPGA titles, while Choi left the field last year after winning eight KLPGA and nine LPGA titles.

Kim has one KLPGA major title to her name — the Hite Jinro Championship in 2011 — while Choi won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2012 — one of the five majors on the LPGA Tour.

Now retired, the duo are looking for some new challenges.

Choi recently took a body profile photoshoot — a trend in Korea where people out intensely and then go to a photo studio to take pictures — normally in their underwear — of their body in optimum physical condition.

“I lost weight because of Ha-neul,” Choi said during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo on May 17 at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju, where she and Kim were competing against each other. “I had no choice but to lose weight, because Ha-neul asked me to take a body profile again, two years after I last did it.”

Choi has also been writing her own autobiography during her spare time.

“I’ve been diligently writing my autobiography, which I mentioned during my retirement press conference,” Choi said. “I sometimes commit two hours to writing it, but it is hard to write just one letter some days.”

Although Choi’s main focus is no longer golf, she still plays the sport to check whether her form remains the same or declines.

“My performance declined quickly after I retired,” Choi said. “I managed an 80 last time, and I hit a lot out of bounds. It was shocking.”

Choi never recorded a single round over 80 when she won titles on the KLPGA or LPGA Tour. She carded all four rounds under 74 when she was crowned the U.S. Women’s Open champion — a seven-under-par, 281, total with 71, 72, 65 and 73 across the four rounds.

Kim, meanwhile, has also been enjoying life in retirement.

“I’ve been enjoying tennis and skiing, which I was unable to do as a golfer due to possible injury,” Kim said. “Many people around me often tell me that I look better nowadays.

“I guess my life at the moment isn’t too bad.”

Both Kim and Choi could pursue another professional career, as they are still in their early 30s.

One side job both have been doing is running their own YouTube channels.

Kim has about 70,000 subscribers on her channel and often uploads Vlogs and instructional videos in which she teaches viewers how to better play golf.

She also uploaded a video in which she competed with prominent golfers like Ryu So-yeon, Lee Jeong-eun5 and Park In-bee — an LPGA Hall of Famer with 21 Tour wins.

Choi uploads similar videos and has about 300,000 subscribers.

“I do not have a big plan for now, and I am considering what path I should pursue,” Choi said.

BY KO BONG-JUN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]