LPGA.com counts down to the end of 2014 with the LPGA Tour's top 14 stories of the year. Join us as we look back at the year's most memorable milestones. Read about Christina Kim’s emotional win in Story No. 9.

The huge smile, the arms pumping in celebration and the tears said it all. Nine years of emotions poured out of Christina Kim as she tapped in her final putt on the second playoff hole to defeat Shanshan Feng a the Lorena Ochoa Invitational presented by Banamex and take home her first win since the 2005 The Mitchell Company LPGA Tournament of Champions.

“I can't put into words how I'm feeling right now,” Kim said while failing to hold back tears after the event. “I'm still riding so many emotions. It feels surreal. I can't explain. I'm so overwhelmed right now. I'm so proud and honored to be a champion for such an incredible tournament. I can't, I can't, I just can't.”

Nine years of emotions can be a lot for anyone but it was an especially long time for Kim, one of the most popular players on Tour, who had struggled with injuries and depression during her time between victories.

“I’ve been through a lot. Everyone goes through ebbs and flows in their lives and that had a way of bringing me some comfort knowing that with the downs come the highs,” Kim said in an emotional on-camera interview with Golf Channel’s Jerry Foltz after the win.

“My mother gave me something to think about after I went through what I did,” Kim continued. “She told me that she had such a hard life coming to the states and not knowing any English and that kind of made me feel ashamed because in all honesty life has been so easy for me compared to that. She said regardless of how many nights you sleep and no matter how dark the nights are there’s always going to be a beautiful sunrise tomorrow and that’s something that I’ve been trying to live by. Without her and the support of my father and all of my family and my friends there’s no way I’d be here today.”

Several of Kim’s friends on Tour were either there on the green to congratulate her or sent her a congratulatory message via text or social media over the upcoming day, including tournament host Lorena Ochoa who Kim grew up playing golf with on the Epson Tour.

“This tournament to me is so important,” Kim said. “I have such a long history with Lorena. She’s someone I’ve always admired and I tried to emulate her the past four days and I hope I did her proud.”

Kim certainly did as Ochoa proudly presented her with the trophy setting off another celebration that lasted into the wee hours of the Mexico City night.

Counting Down LPGA Tour's 14 top stories in 2014: No. 9

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