Korean golf player Choi Ho-sung is about to show off his iconic golf swing in the first round of the PGA.
"I am a 'Se-ri kid' too. I started playing golf in 1998 after watching Korean golf player Pak Se-ri succeed in the U.S. I will take on a new challenge, thinking about her endeavors."
After arriving and unpacking at the resort at Soboba Springs Golf Course in San Jacinto, California, on Nov. 24, Choi Ho-sung, 50, said he was as excited as he was when he first started playing golf.
Known for his unique 'fisherman's swing,' in which he lifts and swings his club like he's reeling it in, Choi will compete in the first round of the PGA of America's Champions Tour Qualifying School at Soboba Springs Golf Course starting on Nov. 28.
It's a 'narrow gate' to the final qualifier next week, where he must finish in the top five to earn a full seeding on next season's PGA Champions Tour. The PGA Champions Tour, which is open to players 50 years of age and older, is a hugely popular tour with a number of aging stars including Bernhard Langer (66), Vijay Singh (60), Jim Furyk (53) and Steve Stricker (56).
Choi's "fisherman's swing" is well known in the U.S. as well. He gained popularity in 2019 when he was invited to play in three PGA Tour events: the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the John Deere Classic, and the Barracuda Championship. Although he didn't make the cut, Choi generated enough buzz that fans who recognized him would call out his name or mimic his swing.
Choi, who had never played on the PGA Tour, got his first taste of the U.S. stage when American fans, who had seen his fisherman's swing on social media during the 2018 Korean Open, created a petition on change.org to invite Choi to the U.S.
Many PGA stars, including 15-time PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas (30, USA), rushed to imitate Choi's swing and post it on social media.
Tiger Woods, 48, said, "It's an amazing swing. But my back hurts too just watching it".
Steve John, CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, who hosted Choi at the time, said, "With his unique 'fisherman's swing,' he made us laugh, but with his skill, he reminded us that golf is all about having fun. He will be missed by many fans."
This article was originally published on Nov. 25, 2023.