By Yoon Chul
Staff reporter
The world's No. 1-ranked female golfer Shin Ji-yai may not appear on the course for at least two weeks due to appendicitis.
"She had acute surgery late at night," Shin's agency SEMA said Thursday.
Shin, who was supposed to compete at the LPGA State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill., which kicked off Thursday, reportedly had a sudden abdominal pain during Wednesday's practice round and was sent to a local hospital.
The 22-year-old was willing to appear at the tournament. "I want to practice as soon as possible. I will appear at the event taking pain killers and antibiotics," Shin was quoted as saying.
But it takes at least two weeks for a complete recovery, and it looks inevitable that the Korean golfer will withdraw from the State Farm Classic and the ShopRite Classic to be held June 18 to 20.
Though Shin has risen to the world No. 1 lady golfer, she hasn't claimed a win so far this season after winning three titles last year.
This season, her best result is a third-place finish at the Sybase Match Play Championship last month.
"I will show my best play in the LPGA as soon as possible after I recover," Shin said in a statement.