Grief is one of the strongest emotions. It has the power to make or break an individual’s life, especially when the loss endured is that of a parent at an extremely impressionable age. Sadly enough, one of the celebrated golfers, Jiyai Shin, had to endure the pain when she lost her mother to a car accident at the young age of 16.

In the same horror, her sister and brother were also severely injured and were in the hospital for almost a year. With funding she received from her mother’s life insurance policy, she drove herself to excel on the golf course, and she did that beautifully.

In a matter of only 5 years between 2008 and 2013, the former world number 1 managed to bag 11 LPGA Tour wins as well as two major championships. Undoubtedly, escaping the emotions that surrounded the ill-timed passing of her mother was one of the major reasons for such a blind run for success. Then before the start of 2014 season, she gave up her LPGA Tour membership because she wanted to be closer to her family.

“The U.S. LPGA flies all over the world,” Shin said shortly after making the move. “That’s a good thing, but it’s a tough thing. In Japan, there’s much less travel. It was so exciting (getting to No.1 in the world), and I was so happy. But I think that time came to me a little bit early. It felt like I lost my passion, because I already made all my goals, and I didn’t set another target or goal. I was enjoying it, but I lost the hunger,” said Shin about her surprising decision.

But grief also brings a change in perspective. Considering her father was still in her home country, the choice of picking family over fortune came early to the brightly burning star. This is because Shin was absent for almost a decade from the global golf arena. After she moved away from the States, she went to play in events in Japan and Korea.

Her winning spree in Asia started at a KLPGA event. This was while her siblings were still recovering from the accident that led to this incessant urge to fill a void in the heart of the now-35-year-old. The 2X Major winner never gave up on her career, and rather used her pain to fuel her passion. She has claimed 28 victories at the Japan Tour, and 21 on the KLPGA.

What can be forecasted of Shin’s performance at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship?

The former world no. 1 is currently holding her fort at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. She is tied at T1 after the Saturday’s game along with Alison Lee. She carded total score of 9-under-par while scoring a massive 8-under-par in only the third round. With her stellar performance in the third round consisting 8 birdies, Shin showed everyone that why she is regarded as “best player in history that most modern golf fans don’t know.”

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The future looks like one embellished with victory for the star yearning for an LPGA Tour win after years. This is contingent on the fact that no one outperforms her in the coming round. This win at the event, with a $2 million prize purse, could be an interesting addition to her glorious record.

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