Choi Ho-sung (50-photo), known for his “fisherman’s swing,” is in the final stretch to qualify for the U.S. Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour Champions, where Choi Kyung-joo and Yang Yong-eun are also in action.
Choi will compete in the PGA Tour Champions Qualifying Tournament at TPC Scottsdale Champions Course in Arizona, USA, starting on June 6. After qualifying for the first round of the Q-School in California last week, Choi will need to finish in the top five in the 78-man field to earn a seed in next year’s PGA Tour Champions.
The PGA Tour website posted an article on Friday highlighting 10 players to watch in the final round of the Senior Tour’s Q-Series, with Choi at the top of the list. “He has earned a reputation for his unique swing, which involves lifting his right leg at impact and executing a 90-degree counterclockwise polo through,” the PGA Tour wrote, noting that Choi is a three-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) and two-time winner on the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour.
Choi made headlines around the world when he competed in the 2018 Korean Open, where his unique angler swing led to a tie for fifth place, and a video of his game went viral. Some of the PGA Tour’s top players have even mimicked the angler’s swing at events. This season, he had a pair of top-10 finishes on the KPGA Korean Tour, fulfilling a long-held dream of playing in the United States.
Among Choi’s competitors are Hall of Famer John Smoltz (55-USA), who won 213 games in Major League Baseball; Tiger Woods’ close friends Chris Riley and broadcaster Notah Vigai III; Sean Mickelson, whose only major victory came in the 2003 PGA Championship; Dick Mast, the 72-year-old oldest player to win 360 PGA Tour events and 190 Champions Tour events; and three-time PGA Tour winner Boo Weekley (USA).
The PGA Tour, which ranked Smoltz as its fifth player to watch, said, “That’s right, Smoltz. The eight-time All-Star and 1995 World Series champion hasn’t made it past the first round in his past three attempts, but he tied for 14th in last month’s Florida qualifier and will be looking for the perfect ‘pitch’ this week.”