[Golf Topic] 'Fishing Swing' Choi Hoseong "Tee Shot Only 1cm?"

Choi Hoseong is watching the ball after a tee shot on the 2nd hole of the third day of the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○…'Fishing rod swing' Choi Ho-sung (47) reportedly made a tee shot with only '1cm' distance...

It was on the 18th hole (par 5) of the 3rd round at the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), the opening event of the 2020 Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour, held on the 4th at Aramir Golf Course in Changwon City, Gyeongnam (par 72, 7,245 yards). Although he swung the driver vigorously, he hit the ground behind the ball, causing sand to scatter and the ball to fall off the tee, which was the starting point. He then made a second tee shot, sending the ball 275 yards, but ultimately recorded a bogey with '4 on 2 putts.'

Choi Ho-sung is famous for his unique finishing motion that looks like he might fall over. He made too big a swing aiming for a '2 on' but ended up losing one stroke instead. Fortunately, he benefited greatly from the golf rule revised last year. It is Article 6, Section 2, Clause b(6). If the ball still remains on the teeing ground, the second shot can be played with the ball placed back on the tee. Previously, the next shot had to be played as it lay, and placing the ball on the tee would incur a one-stroke penalty, making it the third stroke. Thanks to the changed rule, he saved one stroke.