2008 Ballantine's Championship - Event Preview: Choi is out to impress on home soil

Prodigious home-grown hero Choi Kyung-ju arrived at the picturesque island of Jeju, south of Korea to a hero’s welcome and promised his home fans that he will not disappoint them by going out for a home win at this week’s inaugural Ballantine’s Championship.

Currently ranked fifth in the world, Choi entered Korean folklore by being the first Asian to break into the world’s top-10 players’ ranking and insisted that a home win this week will be his biggest reward for his fans.

“It’s always good to be back in Korea and I just want to give the best performance that I can,” said Choi.

The 37-year old Choi, who has seven US PGA wins has endeared himself to many of his home fans with his charming and humble personality but insisted that he had never set out to be so famous.

“I feel awkward being called a hero because I don’t consider myself to be one,” said Choi.

“I never intended it to be like this, it just happened. I worked hard at my golf every day and took the sport very seriously, and it’s all that hard work that has got me to where I am,” added Choi.

With the romantic Jeju Island, famous for being a honeymoon island to numerous Korean newlyweds and filming site for many Korean drama series, Choi cannot hope for a better place than this island for his romance with his adoring home fans to continue.

“Jeju Island is definitely a very beautiful place. Every year, I try to showcase my improved talent to my fans in Korea and this week I want to give the best performance that I can without putting too much pressure on myself here,” said Choi.

When Choi tees off against the stunning views that the Pinx Golf Club has to offer, he also knows that a good performance this week will have a huge bearing on the younger Korean players who regard him as a role model.

“Playing well in this tournament is going to open the door to many good opportunities ahead and I just want the players to be able to experience that, just like how I did,” said Choi.

While Choi is flattered that he is being regarded as a role model by many of his fellow compatriots, he still wants them to know the route to success demands a lot of hard work, focus and perseverance.
“I’ve always set goals for myself. I’ve always promised myself that I’m going to try my best, and I think my other fellow Korean players noticed how hard I’ve worked to achieve my dreams and I think they respect me for that,” said Choi.

“Results are not important for me. I just want to be remembered as someone who, you know, was a role model working hard.”

The inaugural Ballantine’s Championship will feature a stellar line-up that includes British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, Liang Wen-chong of China as well as Ryder Cup stars Thomas Björn of Denmark and Ireland’s Paul McGinley.

25 places in the 132-strong field have also been awarded to the Korea PGA, making it the first time in Korean golf history that home-grown players are competing on the international stage alongside the game’s elite.

March 12, 2008

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