[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "Come From Behind Win"

A-rim Kim achieved a come-from-behind victory at the US Women's Open.

There is nothing more thrilling in any sport than a come-from-behind victory.

Golf is no exception. Kim A-lim (25) staged a comeback last week at the U.S. Women's Open, and Ko Jin-young (25) did the same on the 21st at the CME Group Tour Championship. These victories are a great gift to Korean golfers suffering from the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). There is a famous quote from Yogi Berra, the legendary catcher of the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball, USA: "It ain't over til it's over."

Golf is similarly described as "You don't know until you take off the gloves." Since the outcome cannot be decided until the very end, it is said, "The golf game is not over until it is over." It is interesting that baseball often features dramatic comebacks in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. This year's U.S. Women's Open is a prime example in golf. Kim A-lim came from a tie for 10th place, five strokes behind, to turn the tables (Kim A-lim comes from behind to win at her first U.S. Women's Open).

U.S. CNN reported, "Kim A-lim staged an incredible final-round comeback to win the U.S. Women's Open in Houston, Texas, and claim her first major title." The term for 역전승 in English is 'come-from-behind win (victory)' or 'comeback (win)'.

It means "to come from behind and win." For example, "The U.S. team came from behind and won three to two in the Ryder Cup." When winning by a single stroke like Kim A-lim, the correct phrase is 'win by a close margin.' A come-from-behind loss is 'a come-from-behind defeat.' For reference, in golf, when players are evenly matched and it is hard to distinguish superiority, the term is 'neck and neck.'

MODERATORA: A-Lim Kim, congratulations on winning the U.S. Women's Open championship.

A-Lim Kim: Thank you. I'm very honoured to win the 75th U.S. Women's Open.

MODERATORA: Was it a wire-to-wire victory?

A-Lim Kim: No, it was a come-from-behind victory. I won by a close margin.

Written by Kim Maeng-nyeong, Golf Columnist