K.J. Choi "Ready for Memorial Tournament"..."Mickelson is My Motivation~"

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Incredible mental strength and stamina."

'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom·photo) said in an interview held on the 2nd (Korean time) at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, USA (par 72, 7,456 yards), one day before the opening of the PGA Tour Memorial Tournament (total prize money $9.3 million), "Phil's major victory was a motivation." Phil Mickelson (USA), who is the same age, set a new milestone as the 'oldest major champion' by winning the PGA Championship on the 24th of last month.

Both players entered the PGA Champions (Senior) Tour for players over 50 last year but still compete with younger players while playing on the PGA Tour. Choi Kyung-ju, who said, "It's amazing that he built a body capable of winning a PGA Tour major at the age of 50," added, "His long driving power and swing are incredible, comparable to young players," and expressed his determination, "I will also prepare harder and compete with younger players."

Choi Kyung-ju was the winner of this tournament in 2007. It is remarkable that he achieved a one-stroke come-from-behind victory with a 7-under-par storm shot on the final day. The last three holes, especially, drew more spotlight as he preserved his score under pressure. He made a 2.1m par putt on the 16th hole (par 3), a 4.5m par putt on the 17th hole (par 4), and on the last 18th hole (par 4), he hit a greenside bunker shot to within 1.5m of the hole to clinch the top spot. He finished tied for 3rd at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, a Champions Tour major, on the 31st of last month, completing his warm-up.

On that day, Choi Kyung-ju practiced a round at Muirfield Village together with Lee Kyung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics). When Lee Kyung-hoon won his first PGA Tour title at the AT&T Byron Nelson on the 17th of last month, Choi's congratulation on site became a hot topic. "I wanted to support him in person rather than by phone, so I hurried to the golf course," he recalled. Lee Kyung-hoon expressed his respect, saying, "I didn't know Pro Choi Kyung-ju was here," and called him "a pioneer and an eternal legend."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.