'Bear' Seungtaek Lee Sidelined by Injury...Ankle Surgery Scheduled

Injury to Left Ankle and Ligament During Tournament
Surgery Scheduled, Rehabilitation to Take 3-4 Months
Medical Leave from PGA Tour, Return Expected Early Next Year

'Bear' Lee Seungtaek has been sidelined by an injury.

His agency, Be Number One, announced on March 4, "Lee Seungtaek has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the left lateral ankle ligament and left ankle os trigonum syndrome. He is scheduled to undergo ligament repair surgery and os trigonum removal surgery later this month." The agency added, "It is expected that rehabilitation will take three to four months." They continued, "He has requested a medical leave of absence from the PGA Tour," and stated, "He is expected to return early next year." He will be eligible to participate in approximately 22 to 25 tournaments next season.

Lee Seungtaek has requested a leave of absence from the PGA Tour due to an ankle injury. Photo by AFP Yonhap News Agency

Lee Seungtaek experienced pain in his left ankle while teeing off during the third round of the PGA Tour American Express tournament in January. Despite enduring the pain and continuing to compete, his condition worsened, prompting him to return to Korea last month for a thorough examination. Through his agency, Lee Seungtaek said, "So many people have supported me, and I feel heavy-hearted to deliver this unfortunate news. I will do my best with the surgery and rehabilitation so that I can return in great shape next year."

Lee Seungtaek became a first-time champion after 10 years on tour by winning the 2024 Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour Lexus Masters. With this victory, he ranked fifth in the KPGA Tour Genesis Points standings and challenged the PGA Tour Qualifying (Q) School. Last year, he finished 13th in points on the Korn Ferry Tour (the second-tier tour), earning a PGA Tour card given to the top 20 players. He became the first player to enter the PGA Tour through the KPGA Tour Genesis Points privilege system by progressing through the Korn Ferry Tour. He made it to the stage of his dreams, but after just four tournaments, he has had to press pause on his journey.

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