[Manbo Jeongdam] Choi Kyung-ju: "I Have to Play in a PGA Tournament with My Son"

Oldest Champion Wins Major The Senior Open
Achievement Through Training After Quitting Soda, Smoking, and Alcohol
Consistent Tournament Participation, Aiming for 10 More Years of Playing Career
"I Want to Ensure Retired Players Face No Financial Hardship"

Choi Kyung-ju is the 'eldest brother.' He was born in 1970 in Wando, Jeonnam. He did weightlifting during his time at Wando Middle School and started golf at Wando Fisheries High School. He is a 'living legend of Korean golf,' having won 17 times on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour and 8 times on the PGA Tour in the United States. In May, he set the record for the oldest winner on the KPGA Tour at the SK Telecom Open, and in July, he won The Senior Open, a major senior tournament. He also secured a spot for next year's The Open Championship. Now, he is just two more tournaments away from reaching the milestone of 500 career starts on the PGA Tour.

Choi Kyung-ju is walking in Dongbinggo Neighborhood Park, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. In an interview with Asia Economy, he expressed his ambition, saying, "I will continue my career as a player for the next 10 years." Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Choi Kyung-ju, who has set various records in the world of golf, has a dream he definitely wants to achieve. It is to play a round alongside his second son, Kang-jun, who is currently a junior at Duke University in the United States. In an interview with Asia Economy at the Choi Kyung-ju Foundation office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 14th, he said with a bright smile, "I have already applied to participate in next month's PNC Championship, an event tournament. I am looking forward to enjoying a round with my son." The PNC Championship is a tournament where players who have won major championships or The Players Championship compete alongside their family members. The accompanying player must not be a professional. "Kang-jun has about two and a half years left before he graduates from college and turns pro. Until then, I will work hard to maintain my competitive level to keep playing on tour."

Below is a Q&A session with Choi Kyung-ju, who seems to be turning back the clock.

-You had a meaningful year. How did you spend your time after the season ended?

▲I returned to Korea last Tuesday (the 12th) from Phoenix, Arizona. After coming back home, I was busy with foundation events. This year, I also became an ambassador for CGN (Onnuri Mission Foundation's missionary media). I have many pending appointments. It looks like it will be a very busy week.

-You must be busy in the U.S. even during the off-season.

▲My home is in Dallas, Texas. The schedule there is tight as well. Every winter, we hold winter training for promising young players at my house. We also need to upgrade the facilities. Since I am still an active player, I have a lot to prepare. I enjoy spending time with the young talents. They like practicing together. When I show them how to take shots while practicing together, they appreciate it. Although the amount of practice decreases compared to practicing alone, spending time with the young players is meaningful. Doing it all day together seems to improve my body as well.

Choi Kyung-ju is smiling while holding the Claret Jug right after winning the major tournament, The Senior Open Championship, held last July at the Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland, UK. Carnoustie (Scotland) = AP·Yonhap News

-You won The Senior Open, a major on the senior tour, and the KPGA Tour SK Telecom Open this year as well.

▲Going through difficult times was a big help. I had thyroid surgery five years ago. My weight dropped to 79 kg. It took about four years to recover. I trained very hard. I don't drink a drop of alcohol. I don't drink carbonated drinks or coffee either. I tried to provide as much nutrition as possible. Now, I am back to my prime weight of 92 kg. Managing my body makes me feel refreshed in the morning. It feels like a fallen tree has stood up again. In the past, when I woke up in the morning, my eyes were open, but my body didn't want to get up. Over the past 4-5 years, I have built my body through systematic exercise.

-How much do you train daily?

▲At least four hours, excluding rounds. I do squats, push-ups, handgrip training, and so on every day. I currently use a 140-pound handgrip trainer, but as I get used to it, I plan to try a 200-pound one like major league players. On the senior tour, the short game is important. About 30% of my shot training is dedicated to the short game. If the feel for the short game drops, problems arise. I spend about two hours on bunker shots.

-Your nickname is 'Master of the Bunker.' Do you still feel more comfortable in bunkers than in the rough?

▲Grass deceives you. It's not easy to find the feel. But bunkers don't deceive. If the clubface enters properly, you can always stop the ball. Gary Player (South Africa) was a legendary golfer who practically lived in bunkers. Bunker shots made up 80% of my training. I liked bunkers since I was young. I once practiced bunker shots for about five hours at Myeongsasimni Beach in Wando. If someone had taught me the knack of bunker shots, I wouldn't have been able to do this well. I naturally learned the spacing for hitting behind the sand. When the ball goes into the bunker, I have my own set of rules. I've used them my whole life.

-We can't leave out the SK Telecom Open held last May.

▲Something unbelievable happened. Even if you hit a million times, there's no guarantee you'll get it up. In the first playoff, I hit my second shot into the water hazard. I fat-shotted it. Miraculously, the ball was gently placed in a small island-like spot surrounded by stones inside a stream. There was a stone 30 cm in front of the ball, so I used a 59-degree wedge instead of a 54-degree wedge, and the ball landed well on the green, allowing me to make par. Then, in the second playoff, I made par and won. It will be an unforgettable scene for life. I think it's hard to explain without God's grace. Many people saw this scene. I think showing this is also a testimony.

-You mentioned it was God's grace.

▲This happened before as well. In December 2000, I took the qualifying (Q) school to challenge the PGA Tour. I felt tremendous pressure. On the last day, at the 18th hole of the 6th round, I had a 4-meter uphill hook lie. I prayed and looked at the line, and a sense of peace came over me. God showed me the line with white chalk. That putt went in, and I passed Q school. I still can't forget that moment. Since then, I have never gone to Q school again. The SK Telecom Open this year was the same. It was an incredible event. I think I had a positive influence through such scenes.

Choi Kyung-ju is smiling brightly on a small island at the 18th hole after winning the SK Telecom Open, part of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour, held last May at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Photo by KPGA

-I heard you are still studying hard. Is there more to learn?

▲Even at my age, there are things to learn. You have to study. Looking at Bernhard Langer (Germany), who dominates the senior tour, he is truly amazing. His eyes, body, and mental strength are excellent. Even when competing with younger players who hit longer, he plays his own game. He is unwavering. Langer strictly follows his routine. From diet to stretching and exercise, everything is included. He never skips the basic exercises a player should do. He takes every step seriously. He is not careless. He also has strong faith. He is the type who doesn't cause trouble for others. He is a good role model for younger players.

-What advice would you give to younger players?

▲It's important to have concentration during training. After getting married and having a baby, everything changes. The amount of training decreases. To maintain good results on tour, it's important to strictly keep training time. I am always grateful to my wife (Kim Hyun-jung). She never calls me during training. She is my benefactor.

-In a previous interview, you said you wanted to reach 10 wins. Is that still the case?

▲(Laughing) It seems difficult to reach 10 wins on the PGA Tour. It won't happen by human power alone. To win on the regular tour, you need to hit 300 yards. Now, I can't even reach 270 yards. There's a difference of over 60 yards compared to young players. Maintaining body elasticity while hitting accurately and far is my challenge. I have to manage my body well. I need to carry the ball 270-280 yards. If I can reach that distance, I think I have a good chance of winning. Without preparation, I can't compete on-site.

-I heard you walk a lot for exercise.

▲On the senior tour, except for major tournaments, players can use carts, but I never ride one. It's a rule I follow. Sitting for a long time causes problems with pelvic rotation. Golf is a full-body exercise. Tiger Woods (USA) struggles because of an ankle injury from a traffic accident. At impact, the whole body should rotate as one motion, but his upper body rotates first. This inevitably causes ball deformation. Maintaining balance during the swing is important. So, I walk during rounds to maintain balance.

Choi Kyung-ju dreams of playing on the PGA Tour alongside his youngest son, Kang-jun, who is currently attending Duke University in the United States. Photo by Choi Kyung-ju Foundation

-How long do you plan to continue your playing career? What kind of life do you want to live afterward?

▲I think my physical condition is better than in my 40s. I plan to play for about 10 more years. After retirement, I don't plan to start a personal business. I want to nurture the next generation. I want to raise people who contribute to society and lead with good character in the community. My motto is courtesy, moderation, and humility. Since I was young, I was told to greet people well. I want to nurture responsible, courteous, skilled golfers with good etiquette. I believe giving back as much as you receive is contributing to society. I want to create good righteous people who care for the weak.

-You have been leading a scholarship foundation for 17 years. Is there a special reason?

▲I can do it because there are many good righteous people around me. I can't do it alone. I thought about what I could do for the golf world. I became interested in the foundation, and sponsors appeared. I am especially grateful that the young talents have grown well. This year, we will select the 15th batch of new students. I emphasize to young players to always greet others. Also, I tell them not to play slow as players. Don't be happy when your opponent is struggling. It's important to make your opponent comfortable. It's not easy, but I ask them to be people who give opportunities to their playing partners. I have been playing for over 30 years and have never blamed an opponent. I teach young players the basics: etiquette, eating posture, speaking, interviews, grip, and so on. If you lay a good foundation, it will carry through.

K.J. Choi said he wants to create an environment where juniors can focus on golf without worries. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

-You consistently host the Choi Kyung-ju Invitational tournament.

▲There is no tournament in Asia named after a golfer. In the U.S., there are many tournaments hosted by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer (both USA), Woods, and others. They treat players very well. I also wanted to give players gifts through a special invitational. Every time I hold the tournament, I think about what I can do for the players. I believe hosting the invitational helps Korean professional golf. Seeing the tournament improve every year gives me a sense of pride. I want to establish it as a tournament that satisfies the host, the domestic men's golf community, and golf courses.

-What are your future plans?

▲I will continue to organize tournaments where players can perform well. I want to offer tournaments with distinguishing features. Wherever I go, I want to nurture competitive players. A good era for men will come soon. Men's tournaments are much more dynamic. I want to contribute to the development of Korean men's golf. Our players have no money after retirement. They face financial difficulties. In the U.S., retired golfers are offered various jobs, such as pool management. In a situation like Korea, where players worry about life after retirement, good players cannot consistently emerge. There is a need to improve the overall culture and system related to sports.