Balancing Golf and Studies, Self-Taught Golf via YouTube
322-Yard Long Drive, Kim Mingyu and Bae Yongjoon as Success Motivators
"Award Winner, Ultimate Dream is to Join the PGA Tour"
‘Long hitter’ Choi Seung-bin achieved his first career victory after walking a unique path. On the 11th, he topped the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour KPGA Championship (total prize money 1.5 billion KRW) held at A-One Country Club (Par 71) in Yangsan, Gyeongnam. It was his first win in his 23rd tournament since his debut last year. He received a winner's prize of 300 million KRW, a Korean Tour card until 2028, and a lifetime entry right to the KPGA Championship.
Choi Seung-bin is cheering after securing his first career victory at the KPGA Championship. [Photo by KPGA]
Choi Seung-bin started playing golf in the 6th grade of elementary school and kept a promise made to his parents to balance academics with golf. He attended regular classes until high school. He took classes until 4 p.m. and only started practice at 6 p.m. His practice time was limited to just three hours a day. Unlike his peers who practically lived at the practice range from morning till night, he said, "Although the practice time was short, I practiced with concentration, so I never felt that the practice time was insufficient," and recalled, "I wanted to show that it is possible to succeed in golf while studying."
Choi Seung-bin aimed to enter Seoul National University. Although he took the college entrance exam, he did not get admitted to Seoul National University and instead entered Sungkyunkwan University as a special talent student. He also learned golf independently through YouTube and other means. Until last winter, when he joined coach Lee Si-woo's camp in Vietnam to learn swing techniques, he had never received personal coaching from a professional coach. Kim Min-kyu, last year's Korean Open winner, and Rookie of the Year Bae Yong-jun are Choi Seung-bin's friends of the same age. He explained, "Seeing my friends succeed first on the professional stage was stimulating and motivating."
Choi Seung-bin's strength is his long hitting ability. He ranks second in this category (average 322.02 yards), following Jeong Chan-min (324.57 yards). He emphasized, "I have been confident in my long hitting since I was young." He added, "When we both hit with full power, Jeong Chan-min hyung goes 10 to 15 meters farther," but confidently said, "In terms of long hitting, I will be among the top three on the Korean Tour." Choi Seung-bin's dream is to become the best on the domestic stage and then compete on the PGA Tour. He smiled brightly, saying, "I am happy to have received a five-year tour card for now," and "Now that I have achieved my first win, I will aim for the ‘Genesis Award.’"
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