25th anniversary of Park Se-ri’s ‘Barefoot Shot’…Serie Kidz aims for US Open
Many of you may remember golf legend Se Ri Park’s “barefoot shot” at the U.S. Women’s Open.Now, 25 years later, a commemorative documentary has been released just before the tournament.Twenty-two “Seri Kids” who grew up watching the shot are participating in the tournament. Seokjun Hong.In 1998, Park Se-ri took off her socks and dipped her feet into the water without hesitation.With her historic “barefoot shot,” she turned a seemingly impossible situation into an opportunity.”The feeling in my hands was something I had never felt before, and that was my best shot, the shot of my life.”Park’s triumph over adversity at the US Women’s Open at a time when the country was reeling from the IMF crisis gave people the courage to believe they could do it.Park has since become an object of dreams and envy.”It doesn’t feel like 25 years ago, it feels like yesterday every time. At some point, my dream became someone else’s dream.”While Park carried the dreams of others, shot after shot, the “Serie Kid” grew up and stood on top of the US Women’s Open 10 times.Twenty-five years ago, Park Se-ri was the only Korean player to compete in the tournament, and now there are 22 ‘Seri Kids’, led by world No. 1 Ko Jin-young, who is attempting to reclaim her first major title in four years.”I feel like I’ve had a pretty good life to be able to play in such a good place, and I think I’m one of the luckiest players in the world.”While the Korean players following in Park’s footsteps have their sights set on the US Open title, there will also be some closure for 2014 winner Michelle Wie, who is retiring from the tournament for the last time.