Year of the Ox Golf Star: "2021 Is Our Year"

Choi Hoseong "A Year of Rebound," Baekgyeong "Displaying Veteran Prowess," Seo Hyungseok and Lee Soyoung "Excited for Success" Declaration

'Fishing Swing' Choi Ho-seong has taken the lead as the Ox zodiac golf star.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Year of the Metal Ox (辛丑年)'.

2021 is the 38th year in the 60-year cycle, the Year of the Ox. The ox is diligent and patient. It is a trustworthy and honest animal. It is a proactive type that perseveres and moves forward sincerely without giving up. It has a temperament that hates losing to others. With strong perseverance, it has excellent driving force. This is why those born in the Year of the Ox tend to excel in golf, a battle against oneself. Ox-born stars from 1973, 1985, and 1997 have fired up their fighting spirit, saying, "2021 will be our year."

Choi Ho-sung (48), known for his 'fisherman’s swing,' is a representative example. He is a 'late bloomer pro' who started golf only at age 25. After graduating high school, he entered Anyang Golf Course to learn golf and became a pro at 31. He overcame an accident during his time at Pohang Fisheries High School where his right thumb was amputated. He has won twice on the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour and three times on the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO). In June 2018, at the Korean Open, he played a key role in attracting attention with his unique actions on every shot.

His finishing moves, which looked like he might fall over, caught the audience’s eye, and Golfweek in the U.S. introduced his swing videos, career, and fan reactions, drawing worldwide spotlight. In 2019, he received three invitations to the U.S. PGA Tour events: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, John Deere Classic, and Barracuda Championship. Last year, he appeared eight times on the Korean Tour but failed to break into the top 10. He is determined, saying, "I will give it my all once again this year."

'Year of the Ox Golfer' Baek Hyang-in Returns to the Field After 7 Years.

'Beautiful Golfer' Bae Kyung-eun (36) has returned to the field after a long time. She turned pro in the third year of middle school and won the major KLPGA Championship on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2001 when she was a first-year high school student. She boasts three KLPGA Tour wins and was the 2005 money list leader, and she is a star player who also experienced the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. After marrying in 2013, she retired at the end of the 2014 season. Since then, she has frequently appeared on broadcasts as a teaching pro, working as a 'media pro.'

In November last year, she ranked 31st in the KLPGA 2021 regular tour seed ranking. She said, "I didn’t tell anyone about my participation." Although not in the top tier, this practically guarantees a full tour card to play most events. She is on the verge of returning to the first division tour after seven years. She is evaluated as having "long drives ranging from 240 to 250 yards and precise iron shots like they are measured with a ruler." She said, "I have become the oldest player on the tour," and vowed, "I will show my enduring strength."

Kim Tae-hoon, who won last year’s Korean Tour money list and MVP, and Lee Won-jun (Australia), who took the oldest rookie award, were also born in 1985, the Year of the Ox. 'Two-time champion' Seo Hyung-seok (24, Shinhan Financial Group) is also dreaming of a comeback. Lee So-young (Lotte), Lee Da-yeon (Mediheal), Han Jin-sun (BC Card), In Ju-yeon (Samchully), Lee Hyo-rin (Shinhyup), and Lee Se-hee (Resom Resort) are all 24-year-olds born in 1997. Lee So-young and Lee Da-yeon are already 'rising stars' with five KLPGA Tour wins each.