From Wall Street to Fairways: Ina Kim-Schaad's Journey to the U.S. Women’s Open

LOS ANGELES — At 42, Ina Kim-Schaad is gearing up to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open, a remarkable achievement that reflects a journey filled with unexpected turns. Kim-Schaad, a former junior golf standout from Hancock Park, Los Angeles, first gained national attention when she reached the finals of the 2000 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur. Her path then took her to Northwestern University, where she chose to balance academics and athletics before a management training program diverted her to a career as a Wall Street trader.

During her 11 years in finance, Kim-Schaad played golf infrequently, managing just a couple of rounds each year while living in major cities like Chicago, London, Hong Kong, and New York. Everything changed in 2013 when she met Ian Schaad, a fellow trader and avid golfer. Inspired by her husband's passion for the sport, Kim-Schaad reignited her love for golf and quickly found success, winning the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Women’s Amateur in her first tournament back.

Three years later, she clinched the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur title. Having secured her second Mid-Am championship last year at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Kim-Schaad is now focused on her upcoming challenge. She has transitioned from trading stocks to trading ideas as a mental coach for golfers, working alongside her mentor, Dr. Gio Valiante. “I was just so lucky to have people along the way who believed in me,” Kim-Schaad reflected during a recent interview outside the Riviera Country Club.

On the course, Kim-Schaad is hard to miss. Dressed in a stylish powder blue ensemble, she combines fashion with her passion for the sport. “I love having fun with it,” she said, attributing her sense of style to her father's background in clothing manufacturing. Now residing in Jupiter, Florida, Kim-Schaad frequently revisits Southern California, where memories of her youth at Harvard-Westlake School flood back, including her experiences at Riviera, where she estimates she has played over 20 times.

As she prepares for the 81st U.S. Women’s Open, Kim-Schaad is both excited and reflective. “You couldn’t have scripted something that was more kind of ‘Hallmark,’” she noted, acknowledging the significance of competing in her hometown. Her recent victory at the Mid-Am was filled with joy and warmth, especially as her parents attended for the first time. In a competitive match that stretched to 23 holes, she secured her win with a decisive birdie putt.

Looking ahead to the Open, Kim-Schaad feels a mix of exhilaration and determination. “It’s just such a privilege to be here,” she stated, emphasizing her intent to channel the energy of this unique opportunity. As she prepares to face top players like Nelly Korda, Jeeno Thitikul, and Lydia Ko, Kim-Schaad is ready to embrace the challenge with enthusiasm.