She intends to keep the personal medical details private. Rightly so. But Danielle Kang did let the world know how much she appreciated the support she received after an extended absence due to what was described as a tumor on her spine.
“I've been gone for a while, but I'm really excited to be back in Ottawa and playing the CP Women's Open as my first event back,” Kang said on Wednesday afternoon at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. “I really appreciate all the patience that everyone has shown me, all the fans, all the get-well wishes, and even my sponsors have taken a lot of patience on me opting out on a lot of the social posts to sponsor outings and things like that. I am so really thankful for the people that I work with.
Kang was last seen at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, North Carolina, back in June. It was there that her brother put out a post on social media stating that Danielle was suffering from a tumor. The 29-year-old confirmed the story but offered no other details.
“I took some time to properly rehab and address the issue that I've been playing through, and of course I never want to be away from the LPGA Tour. As anyone who knows me knows, I'm a competitor. I’m always out here no matter what happens,” said Kang. “However, this was the best thing to do physically and mentally for me. I'm super thankful for my medical team and everybody that worked with me in Vegas, that guided me through it, especially my family and friends. It's been a tough few months.”
Kang spent those “tough few months” learning more about her physical situation and how she needed to adjust her tendency to grind in practice sessions to her new-found normal. She left in June saying only that she would take some time, work with doctors and her team, and come back when she felt ready.
The situation sidelined Kang during one of the hottest streaks of her career. She won the first event of the 2022 season, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. She followed that up with a runner-up finish at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, and a pair of top 10s in Singapore and Thailand.
But when the Tour returned stateside, things didn’t feel right. She withdrew after the first round of the LOTTE Championship in early April. Then she struggled through the DIO Implant LA Open, a home game for the young woman who grew up in Southern California. Another withdrawal at the Palos Verdes Championship presented by Bank of America and an early exit from the Bank of Hope Match Play near her home in Las Vegas had people wondering what could possibly be wrong. Kang made it official the following week in Southern Pines.
Now, she is ready to go again, as spunky as ever.
“I didn't think I would be competing today. I've missed some majors and that was heartbreaking for me. But I was watching some great golf. I hope you guys enjoyed that as well,” said Kang. “I talked to all the players that have won and it's pretty cool. It was a lot of competition coming down the stretch. A lot of going back and forth, which I enjoyed. So thank you to the girls for entertaining me while I was gone.”
As for why she chose the CP Women’s Open for the comeback, Kang was matter of fact.
“Eventually I told (the team that) I felt good. We had a consistent two weeks showing up and working out and being able to play golf for consistently two hours a day, being able to hit golf balls, work on stuff with Butch, walk the golf course, and I just felt good. And I didn't want to miss the Canadian Women's Open,” said Kang, who will tee it up in her eighth CP Women’s Open. “I thought this would be the perfect place to come back. I mean, Canadians are so chill, right? I feel like I'm at home. Nice crowd, like a home crowd. It's just the vibe I always get.”
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