"'Dad Golfer' An Byeonghun's Determination: 'I Will Show New Techniques'"

PGA Tour Interview: Season Restart Pledge "Practicing Short Game, Aiming to Reach Final Tournament This Year"

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Dad Golfer' An Byeong-hun (29, CJ Logistics, photo) has a firm determination.

In an interview with the PGA Tour on the 5th (Korean time), he expressed confidence, saying, "I have waited a very long time" and "I will show the new skills I have honed during the break." The PGA Tour, which was suspended after the first round of The Players Championship, known as the 'fifth major,' in March due to the spread of COVID-19, will resume the 2020 season on the 11th at Colonial Golf Club near Fort Worth, Texas, with the Charles Schwab Challenge.

An Byeong-hun is a player who entered the PGA Tour after going through the European Tour. He caused a sensation by winning the 2015 BMW PGA Championship, and in 2016, as a top-ranked player in the world rankings, he secured a 'direct ticket' by ranking 111th in prize money across 14 PGA Tour events. He has participated in a total of 109 PGA Tour events, achieving 17 'Top 10' finishes including three runner-up positions. This season, he has also placed in the 'Top 10' five times, including 3rd place at the Sanderson Farms Championship, currently ranking 23rd in the FedEx Cup standings.

He is evaluated as being "close to winning." He showed peak form until the COVID-19 outbreak. "This year, I was in good form, entering the 'Top 10' several times," he said, emphasizing, "I want to finish the remaining season well and participate in the Tour Championship, the final event of the playoffs (PO)." He dedicated himself to training in Orlando, Florida, for about three months. In particular, he focused on his short game with world-renowned coach David Leadbetter (USA).

In February, he became a father. The weight of responsibility as a family man has also increased. An Byeong-hun explained, "I haven't been able to play competitive matches for a long time," and "In the first tournament, I will focus on regaining my competitive sense." He has steeled his mind to achieve his first PGA Tour victory this season. "I want to win more than anyone else," he said with a bright smile, adding, "Following Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics), who won the Honda Classic in March, I hope to be the next Korean player to win."