KJ Choi joins Singapore Open field

Organisers of the Barclays Singapore Open today announced that world number nine Choi Kyung-ju will play in the Asia’s richest national Open. With his participation, a week of exciting golf awaits as a total of five of the world’s top 10 players tee off at the Sentosa Golf Club from November 1-4 to claim the title and the winning cheque in the US$4 million Asian Tour tournament.

Choi will tee-off alongside two-time defending champion Adam Scott (no. 6), Phil Mickelson (no. 2), Ernie Els (no. 4) and Vijay Singh (no. 10) for his debut at the tournament. Widely recognised as the most successful Korean male golfer, Choi is the only Asian to represent the International team this year at the prestigious President’s Cup which will take place from Sept 25-30 in Montreal, Canada.

Low Teo Ping, member of the Barclays Singapore Open Steering Committee said, “K.J Choi is currently playing the best golf of his career and his fiery form makes him a strong contender for the title. His success is an inspiration for Asian golfers around the world and is a clear testament of the growing pool of immense talent from this region.”

The 37-year old Korean has been enjoying a very successful 2007 season. He most notably won two titles – the AT&T Classic and the Memorial Tournament – within a span of five weeks earlier in May and also came in second at The Barclays last month.

Choi was the first Korean to earn a PGA Tour card and is arguably the most successful Asian player on the US PGA tour, having amassed a total of six PGA tour wins to date. His background as a competitive power lifter during his teenage years also earned him the nickname ‘Tank’ from his Koreans fans.

He was also the first Asian Tour graduate to make a name for himself in the United States.

September 6, 2007