"Not Just a Hobby"... Sports Stars Obsessed with Golf

Murray Announces Bid for The Open After Pro-Am Eagle
NFL Quarterback Romo Competes in PGA Tour Events
Smoltz, Curry, and Bale: Proven Amateur Standouts
Lee Seungyeop, the Switch Golfer; Yoon Seokmin Earns KPGA Associate Status

Sports stars are deeply captivated by the allure of golf. Last month, former world No. 1 tennis player Andy Murray from the United Kingdom recorded an eagle at the DP World Tour BMW Championship Pro-Am and then declared his intention to attempt to qualify for The Open, a major championship. The Open grants eligibility for regional qualifiers, held in 15 locations across the United Kingdom and Ireland, even to amateurs with a handicap of zero. Currently, Murray's handicap is 2. Like Murray, there are many elite athletes who have fallen in love with golf.

Tony Romo, a former NFL quarterback, is a sports star with PGA Tour-level skills. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

There are even athletes with such outstanding skills that they compete in professional tournaments. One such example is Tony Romo, the renowned former Dallas Cowboys quarterback from the National Football League (NFL) in the United States. He is currently working as a commentator for CBS. His official handicap is +3.3, which is on par with players on the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour. In May of this year, he participated in the first stage of regional qualifying for the US Open, a major tournament. In February 2018, he played as an amateur in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and in March, he competed as a sponsored player at the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship. Romo smiled and said, "My top priorities are football and family, and next comes golf."

Legendary Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher John Smoltz from the United States is also passionate about golf. Since his retirement, he has consistently appeared on the golf course, even competing in the PGA Korn Ferry (secondary) Tour in 2011. Although he missed the cut at the 2018 US Senior Open Championship, he qualified for the main event on his own, putting pressure on the "professional golfers." In 2021, he finished as runner-up at a well-known celebrity golf tournament in the United States, and he frequently appears at Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour events where professionals and celebrities compete together in teams.

NBA superstar Stephen Curry has a special love for golf, even considering hosting a PGA Tour event. Photo by AP Yonhap News

National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors also demonstrates exceptional athletic ability on the golf course. He is an amateur with an impressive handicap of 0.1. Curry has even said, "I've considered becoming a professional golfer after retirement." Although he missed the cut as a player at the 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Ellie Mae Classic, he showcased his skills by shooting 74 in both rounds over two days.

In 2018, Curry went so far as to plan to host a PGA Tour event, displaying his extraordinary passion for golf. In 2023, he won the American Century Championship, a tournament where celebrities compete in golf. He donated to Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., for six years and launched initiatives to help young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds access golf. In recognition of his efforts to promote diversity in golf, Curry received the Charlie Sifford Award from the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2023.

Tennis star Andy Murray (left) and soccer star Gareth Bale are playing together at last month's DP World Tour BMW Championship Pro-Am. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Gareth Bale from Wales is a well-known golf enthusiast in the football world, even practicing his swing during national team training sessions. His personal best is a score of 67. He built three holes in his backyard modeled after famous golf courses. In his hometown of Cardiff, Wales, he opened a golf practice facility. He also launched a restaurant at a mini golf course with a par of 59. This large-scale project was carried out in partnership with local businesses. Bale explained, "My love for golf is no longer a secret. I wanted to create a place where people can enjoy themselves."

Chanho Park is a renowned power hitter known for his powerful long drives. Provided by the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA)

In South Korea, "Korean Express" Chanho Park, who dominated Major League Baseball, is also passionate about golf. He took up golf in 2013 and, within four months, recorded a score in the 70s. His personal best is a 3-under-par 69. He is renowned as a power hitter. In 2019, at the Huons EllaVie Celebrity Pro-Am long drive contest on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour, he achieved a remarkable drive of 331 yards. At that time, he teamed up with Kim Youngwoong to win the team championship. Park also competes in the KPGA Tour and Challenge Tour, going head-to-head with professional golfers.

Lee Seungyeop, known as the "Lion King," who excelled in both Korean and Japanese professional baseball, also has a special love for golf. He started playing golf in 2003 at the suggestion of those around him. He is a "switch golfer," using both his left and right hands. Concerned it might affect his baseball career, he switched to a right-handed swing in 2008, but returned to left-handed play at the 2013 Baseball Players' Golf Tournament. Since retiring in October 2017, his skills have improved to the point where he consistently shoots in the 70s. His head speed is 88 miles per hour, and he hits 141 meters with a 7-iron.

Yoon Seokmin is a skilled player who has obtained the associate membership qualification of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA). Photo by KPGA

Yoon Seokmin is a right-handed pitcher who recorded a total of 77 wins in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). In April of last year, he tied for 20th place in Group A at the first KPGA professional qualifying tournament and earned his professional (associate member) qualification. From 2020 to 2022, he attempted to qualify as a professional golfer six times but was unsuccessful; on his seventh attempt, he finally obtained his professional certificate. Yoon said with a bright smile, "I'm even happier than when I got my first win after debuting in professional baseball. I'm so happy to achieve such a dreamlike result." As an amateur, he also competed in the KPGA Tour, appearing as a recommended player at the 2021 Bizplay Electronic Times Open and the 2022 SK Telecom Open.