This time last year, Katherine Kirk was considering hanging up her golf clubs.
Today, the Australian won her first LPGA title since 2010, which was 152 starts and seven years ago.
"When you're in that position and you've kind of had success before, it does go through your mind: 'Oh, well maybe I don't have what it takes to be competitive out here anymore.' And certainly in the back of my mind, I was like, maybe it's time to figure out something else to do," Kirk said Sunday.
The fans at Thornberry Creek seemed to be happy she decided to keep playing.
Kirk, 35, held on to her lead at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic from Friday until Sunday. But after bogeys on Holes 10 and 11 in the third round, she re-calibrated, with the Sky Woman trophy in mind.
"The whole round was very interesting. It was very up and down," she said. "I kind of told myself, 'You're still in this. Just keep plugging along and stay patient.'
"And certainly the bogeys on 10 and 11 were sloppy and very unexpected. I played those holes well the first three rounds. But yeah, the bounce back on 12 was critical."
With the win, Kirk punched her ticket for the Women's U.S. Open at Trump National in Bedminster, her first major since 2015. Her win marks the 17th different winner on the LPGA Tour this year, from the eighth different country.
Thornberry Creek's course may now hold a special place in Kirk's heart after her -22 performance this week, but she also won't forget the fans at the tournament.
"Even being around town, if you're in golf gear, people are like, 'Oh you're here for the tournament? That's awesome, good luck!' So yeah, the fans, the whole town has been really welcoming and definitely looking forward to coming back."
.@Katherine_Kirk1 winner on the course today, but runner-up in the 'Famous Racing Sausage's Race' ? pic.twitter.com/4QnlmVyrrz
— LPGA (@LPGA) July 10, 2017
