Several years ago, Choi Kyung-ju (54) asked a reporter, “What should I do when I receive a proposal from a Korean broadcaster to appear on a fixed number of entertainment shows?” The reporter made it clear that he opposed it. The reason for the opposition was that Choi Kyung-ju alone should be a strong supporter of Korean golf. It seems that he gave unexpected advice as the last-gasp mentality of “as much as you” was triggered, not “even you.”
It is no exaggeration to say that every single move and remark made by Choi is the history of Korean golf. The path he has taken has always been before words. It is like reporting to fans who support him.
Then he stood on the floor again. There was an issue. The purpose of the event was to explain to the Korean media the victory of the PGA Senior British Open, which will remain in the history of Korean golf, in July. After winning the SK Telecom Open in May with the oldest record in the Korean PGA Tour, he took the microphone for the second time in more than two months.
This proves that he is enjoying his second heyday. Having entered the PGA Tour in 2000, Choi has had eight wins in total, and has been active in the Champions Tour, where players aged 50 or older will participate, to post two wins since 2020. Among the trophies that Choi has won for 24 years, the only major championship that he has won for both the PGA and the Champions Tour is the Senior British Open.
Of course, this is a monumental issue. As always, the keywords for his interviews are “grateful,” “family,” “self-care,” and “love for juniors.” The interview, which was conducted through a video call with Korean media on July 13, was no exception.
First of all, what stands out most is thorough self-management. It would not have been possible without thorough self-control until he turned out to be aging backwards. When he was young, he was a two-week-old man who could hardly afford to drink alcohol. However, he gradually stopped drinking wine, which he liked recently. Not only that, but he stopped drinking soda and coffee at all while he was away.
He underwent thyroid tumor removal surgery five years ago. “I didn’t take care of my body too much, and as a result, I was not in a normal condition,” he said. “I don’t even drink soda, and recently, I don’t even eat coffee. In short, I never do anything harmful to my body.” He also hinted that he does not skip push-ups and squats every day.
Kang Jun’s presence as the youngest son is also a source of energy that encourages him. Kang, a junior at Duke University in the U.S., won the Cole Cotton Stakes Amateur a day before his father won the British Open.
“Actually, I feel sorry that I couldn’t spend much time with my kids because of the tour. My son has grown up to this point thanks to his wife (Kim Hyun-jung),” Choi said. “I encourage Kang by saying, ‘I couldn’t play under par until I became a professional, but you are amazing.’ Technically, putting is important, but I advise you to play well in order to make a birdie.
Choi’s big picture is that he will play in the PGA Tour with his youngest son. “I need to prepare well to be active with my son. That’s why I’m taking care of my body more thoroughly,” Choi said, smiling at his father.
Choi acquired the berth to participate in next year’s The Open as a bonus for his senior British Open championship. Choi’s personal best was eighth in the 2007 championship. It was the highest by a Korean player before Kim Joo-hyung (22) of Nike tied for second at last year’s championship. 먹튀검증
Choi said that it would be worth a try if it is accompanied by an iron shot that effectively deals with wind. “It’s windy in Dallas where I live. That’s why I practiced a lot to beat the wind with iron shots,” Choi said. “I practiced a lot with iron shots at the senior British Open last month. I will prepare in the same way next year.”
Perhaps, Choi is recalling the 2009 D-Open. At the time, 59-year-old Tom Watson of the U.S. almost made a milestone in golf history. Watson started as the lead on the last day and maintained the lead through Hole 17. However, he made a bogey at the last 18 and played an extended match against Stewart Cink of the U.S., ultimately losing the game.
Choi has been busy since the opening of his senior year in the British Open. As soon as he finished the Boeing Classic of the Champions Tour, he flew to Seattle to observe the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Seattle. The championship is hosted by the Choi Kyung-ju Foundation every year under the sponsorship of SK Telecom.
The last interview was about juniors again this time. I sincerely consoled Kim Joo-hyung and Ahn Byung-hoon (32, CJ) for their hard work at the 2024 Paris Olympics. As Kim served as men’s golf team coach at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he knows better than anyone else the mental burden that players should have endured.
“The pressure that athletes feel is enormous because they have to be in the top three to win medals. Seeing Kim do his best until the end made me feel desperate,” Choi said. “Ahn Byung-hoon, who participated in the competition, also worked really hard. I believe 100 percent that he will win a medal next time because he is armed with good skills.”