In the world of golf, one name has been consistently catching the attention of enthusiasts and professionals alike — Doug Ghim. Currently ranking T3 in the Cognizant Classic, tied with Russell Henley and Ben Griffin, Ghim has been creating ripples in the golfing community. But who is the driving force behind Ghim’s steady rise in this competitive sport? The answer lies not on the green but off it — in the form of his long-time girlfriend, Kelly Xac.
Kelly Xac may not be a name known to many, primarily due to her preference for maintaining a low profile, especially on social media platforms. Her Instagram account, for instance, is private and has a modest following of just over 1,200. However, Ghim’s affectionate posts about his “love of my life,” with whom he has been in a relationship for more than four years, offer glimpses into their partnership.
While Xac herself is not a professional athlete, she shares Ghim’s passion for golf, albeit to a lesser extent. Back in 2017, as a freshman, she joined the Longhorns but did not compete in tournament action. However, she did participate in the 2017 Betsy Rawls Invitational as an individual golfer, tying for 78th place with a total score of 247. Xac was also a key member of the Texas Woman’s Golf team during her time at the Texas McCombs School of Business. Her golfing prowess saw her named the All-South Texas Most Valuable Player in 2016 and set a new Golf Club of Texas course record in the same year with a score of 67. Xac repeated this feat at the Riverside Golf Club in 2013, scoring another 67.
However, Xac’s interests extend beyond the golf course. She pursued her academic interests at the Texas McCombs School of Business, earning a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 2020, followed by a Masters in Professional Accounting. Her LinkedIn profile reveals that she worked at Deloitte as a Tax Consultant for nearly two years before ascending the corporate ladder to become a Tax Senior with over three years of industry experience.
Despite her professional commitments, Xac manages to find time for Ghim. This is evident from Ghim’s frequent Instagram posts about their dates and shared moments. The couple was recently spotted together at this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AM.
However, Ghim’s support system extends beyond Xac. His father, Jeff Ghim, has been a significant figure in his life. Although Doug Ghim, a native of Arlington Heights, began playing golf at a tender age of 6, his journey was far from easy. His father, Jeff, had dreams of becoming a professional golfer himself. However, three consecutive surgeries compelled him to abandon his aspirations. Despite this setback, Jeff pinned his hopes on his son, once fondly referring to Doug as “my crown.”
Jeff set up a makeshift bay in their backyard where Doug practiced his swings. Despite the financial strain the family faced, Doug believes his father’s love for the sport and his desire to see his son share the same passion was the driving force. Today, every swing Ghim takes on a PGA Tour golf course is a victory for his family, including his beloved partner Kelly Xac.
Doug Ghim’s performance in the Cognizant Classic solidifies his rising status in the golfing world. His journey, bolstered by the support of his girlfriend Kelly Xac and his father, is a testament to the power of determination and love. As we follow his career, we are reminded that behind every successful athlete, there’s a team cheering them on, both on and off the course.
