KJ Choi Speaks With CB Maxwell

KJ Choi began playing on the PGA in 1999, and since then he has risen to the level of 14th in the world in the World Golf Rankings. We get to know him a little better in this personal interview just before the US Open.

KJ: I found out about golf at 16 through my high school physical education teacher but it was me that decided to take it up seriously. Although I liked football and baseball, those sports required a lot of quick instant body movements which I didn’t think fit me well at the time. When I first learned about golf, the term was so new to me that I had to ask what golf was. But the first time I hit a golf ball with a club (a 7 iron), it felt so good that (to this day) I can’t forget that feeling. I knew then right away that this was what I wanted to do. It felt so much better and more solid than hitting a baseball with a bat. But golf didn’t come easy. I worked very hard at it. I practiced every spare moment I could get. I knew I wouldn’t be able to play better than others if I didn’t practice harder and more than them.

CB: When did you begin to believe you could play professionally?

KJ: I started believing I could play professionally after 5 years into starting golf.

CB: Did you play in KOREA professionally before coming to the PGA Tour?

KJ: Yes. I started out on the Korean Tour, and then made my way out to the Asian Tour, and then the Japan Tour before coming to US.

CB: When did you qualify to play on the PGA Tour?

KJ: In 1999, I won 2 tournaments on the Japan Tour which put me in top 10 of the Money List. The top 3 available players through 10th position from the current Money List received exemption into the Final Stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying.

CB: When did you get your first win, and what did that do for your confidence?

KJ: My first professional win was the Fantom Open in Korea in 1996. I remember that I held on to win on the last day. It gave me a lot of confidence in the tournament right after my win as I knew now what I needed to do to win. My first win in the US was the Compaq Classic of New Orleans in 2002. It also gave me tremendous confidence just like it had back in 1996.

CB: How difficult was it to adapt to life on the Tour in the USA? And how were you treated by the American players?

KJ: 2000, my rookie season on the PGA Tour was definitely the most difficult year of my golfing career. Everything was new to me. Not being used to the American culture, there wasn’t a day where I felt comfortable traveling on the PGA Tour. Everywhere I went was new to me, new faces, and new players. I felt there was a lot of difference between myself and the other players. I questioned myself why I wasn’t able to adapt as well as how other players seemed to be doing. At times I would get very depressed and had to hold back a lot of tears. The only thing that kept me and my wife strong was our faith and belief in the Lord. Players like Fred Funk, Tom Pernice Jr. treated me kindly and we are now very good friends.

CB: When you became a PGA player and making a little money in ’99 during the time Tiger was making his run, what did you think of his play?

KJ: Tiger looked as dominant and big back then as he does now. Maybe even to a greater extent back then; because he was so young and adding a new breath of air to the golf and sports. Now he has matured to another level.

CB: When can you say you began to feel “comfortable” playing on the Tour?

KJ: Probably after I got my PGA Tour card back again in 2000. I was confident that I wouldn’t return to Q school again.

CB: Last year (’07) you began putting with the SuperStroke “big fat ugly grip” from Stroke Solutions. You went on to win twice with that grip as the year progressed. How has it helped your putting?

KJ: It has helped me to use my shoulders and take the wrist movement out when putting. The grip helps me transfer the energy from the putter to the ball a lot better than the conventional grips making the ball roll a lot better. It makes the putting stroke a lot more fluid and smooth.

CB: On Tour, putting is so important, are you a “mechanical” putter or a “feel” putter?

KJ: I would say that I am very much a feel putter.

CB: There are so many good players on Tour, did you believe you could be in the Top 10, Top 5 in the world, and if so, when did you begin to believe you could be?

KJ: I didn’t think it would happen as fast as it has. But after 2006, I could see myself being in top 10 and top 5 in the world.

CB: Of all the majors in golf which one do you most want to win, or believe you can win?

KJ: I don’t care which major I win first, I just want to win my first one. I think I have a realistic chance at the Masters.

CB: In one of your wins in Greensboro, it has been reported that you gave $90,000 to the local Korean Christian Church which leads me to ask, how important is your faith to you in the way you live and play golf?

KJ: For me, my life as a golfer is like a large tree withstanding wind and rain but still standing strong and tall. Sometimes when I am in a very difficult situation and feel like giving up, I am thankful to know that the Lord is looking over me and holding out his hand to guide me. During tournament week attending Sunday service is not possible, therefore I attend Wednesday service whenever I can. I give prayers every morning and evening and this brings calmness to my lifestyle. It also allows me to bring the same attitude to the golf course, which results in greater patience during a round. This is how Christianity assists with me with my everyday lifestyle.

CB: What part of your game are you “working” on now as the season progresses?

KJ: I am reshaping my body, getting rid of unnecessary fat to help with my swing, for a more compact swing.

CB: When your professional golf life is done here in the USA, do you plan to retire in KOREA?

KJ: I will probably retire in the US due to my family living here now, but with my foundation launched in Korea, I will most likely travel back and forth between Korea and US, being involved in charity work and other business.

CB: KJ, Thank you for your time and your candor. Good Luck the rest of the season.