Ahn Shin-ae Talks Japan and Future Plans After Retirement

“This match is the last for me.”

It was a sudden announcement.

Korean professional golfer Ahn Shin-ae (33) announced her retirement on September 22, the final day of the domestic women’s tour event, the Miyagi Television Cup Dunlop Women’s Open. The tournament was shortened to 27 holes due to poor course conditions caused by bad weather, and Ann finished with a total of 1 over par, tying for 28th place. After the tournament, a second re-ranking was held to determine the participation rights for the upcoming end-of-season events, and Ahn was unable to make the cut. This meant she lost her tour playing right there. Furthermore, since she does not have any playing rights on the Korean tour either, she has no place to compete.

 

Words spoken at the retirement announcement

In the media area of the clubhouse, Ahn Shin-ae shared her feelings:

“I don’t have any matches scheduled after this. So, this week’s match is my last. I didn’t want to have a flashy retirement ceremony. I intended to announce my retirement here.”

While the sudden retirement announcement was surprising, it seems she had already made up her mind to step away from the tour if she couldn’t secure a spot. Ahn achieved a total of three wins on the Korean Women’s (KLPGA) Tour, including a major victory at the KLPGA Championship. Her talent was recognized in Korea, and she garnered many fans with her eye-catching style and fashion sense, earning her the nickname “Sexy Queen” in Japan.

The author has been covering Ahn Shin-ae since her debut. Ahn Shin-ae made her first appearance on the Japanese tour at the “World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup” in May 2017. In 2016, Lee Bo-Mee (36) had become the prize money queen for two consecutive years, driving popularity in the women’s tour, but Ahn Shin-ae’s arrival in Japan was also a major topic of discussion. Due to the good weather and the impact of the Golden Week holiday, 13,097 spectators flocked to the event from the first day.

A huge gallery gathered at the tee shot hole. After hitting her tee shot, fans continued to follow Ahn Shin-ae’s play. After she finished her round, she was swamped with media interviews. When the crowd formed a long line seeking autographs.

“I will give autographs and shake hands with everyone.”

Leading to chaos in front of the clubhouse. Yet, standing for about two hours, she continued to sign autographs for everyone, which was truly astonishing to witness.

 

Tears of gratitude

In 2017 and 2018, she was unable to secure her seed, but in 2019, she challenged the Japanese pro test and passed on her first attempt, also clearing the QT (final qualifying tournament) that same year. This should have increased her chances to play in Japan. However, in 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, the tour was canceled, and she hardly played any matches in Korea either. Still, she expressed:

“I was frustrated that I couldn’t come back to Japan for four years due to COVID. I prepared with the desire to play in Japan once again.”

Last year, she placed 16th in the QT and decided to return to the Japanese tour for the first time in five years.

Her highest finish on the Japanese tour was tied for 10th in this season’s “AXA Ladies.” While not winning may leave her with some regrets, she didn’t forget to express her gratitude to her fans during her final press conference.

“I think it was the right choice to play this year. I was able to spend time without regrets. I am very grateful to have been supported by many fans since I came to Japan. It’s sad that there won’t be opportunities to show my play in the future. I want to say ‘thank you’ in this place.”

Saying this, Ahn Shin-ae wiped her tears multiple times. Regarding her future, she revealed:

“I have reached an age where I need to prepare for a new life. My father is not well and is still battling illness, so I want to spend time by his side. From now on, I want to spend time with my family, and then I’d like to think about my next steps slowly.”

Marriage Views and Second Career Revealed in Interview

At the press conference, Ahn Shin-ae refrained from discussing her future in detail. Still, one might wonder if there are things she wants to pursue, even if vaguely. After her final match, as she was preparing to return home, I wanted to ask her one last question via email.

—What are your memories of Japan?

“My debut at the Salonpas Cup was a very memorable and positive experience for me. Playing in front of such a large gallery was a great joy, and I was surprised by the amount of media coverage. Also, being able to publish a photo book holds a special place in my heart. The shoot in my favorite place, Australia (Gold Coast), is particularly memorable. I have many wonderful memories.”

—What direction do you envision for your second life? If you have any ideas about appearing on golf programs, designing golf apparel, or entering the entertainment industry, please share.

“Wow! That’s a tough question. It’s really difficult to provide a clear answer on that yet. I want to think about what jobs I can take on in the future. If I had to mention an area of interest, I would say apparel, but I’ve heard that the economy isn’t doing well, so that remains uncharted territory.”

—What are your thoughts on marriage?

“That’s also hard to answer (laughs). I don’t have any plans for marriage, but of course, I hope to get married someday!”

Though Ahn Shin-ae has put a pause on her tour as a professional golfer, she remains a well-known figure in the Korean golf scene, and her activities will likely span various fields. For now, I hope she takes the time to give back to her parents while enjoying her second life.