Danielle Kang went to the emergency room Thursday following withdrawing during the first round of the Drive On Championship. After playing the 14th hole, Kang pulled out of play officially due to illness, per an LPGA official. The 30-year-old shared more detail on her Instagram story in the evening, explaining that had a respiratory infection and severe nausea during play. The post included a photo of an IV in her arm.
“I thought with some medicine I can push through this week but now I see it was a bit too ambitious,” Kang posted.
It’s a road bump amidst a solid start to the Kang’s year. She finished T-3 at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in early March, bolstered by a career-best 63 that was fueled by a new putter she made alongside Scotty Cameron over the offseason.
The Singapore result was the third time Kang nearly entered the winner’s circle since returning to the LPGA last August following a break to recover from complications due to a spinal tumor. She also finished T-3 at the LPGA Mediheal Championship and lost in a playoff at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship to Atthaya Thitikul.
The WD might impact Kang’s chances of representing Team USA at the International Crown. The top four Americans in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings following next week’s DIO Implant event in Los Angeles will play at TPC Harding in early May. Currently, Kang is in the final of four spots for the team at 13th in the world rankings. Jennifer Kupcho is closest to overtaking Kang at 18th and she was tied for 95th after shooting 72 in the first round of the Drive On.
Kang finished her Instagram story sharing she doesn’t expect to be out for long.
“With some rest the next few days, hopefully the nausea will subside and will be back to playing some golf again,” she said.