A Choi-ous year indeed!
November 3, 2002
Hip-hip hurray!!! As most fans would agree, K.J. Choi has had a terrific year.
A ninth place finish and $146,000 at The Tour Championship, capped off a spectacular run this year for Choi, which moved him up a couple notches on the PGA Tour Money List to end the regular 2002 PGA Tour season at 17th with total earnings of $2,204,907. He is also currently ranked 48th in the World Rankings.
With seven top-ten finishes, it gives K.J. all the more reason to work harder. "This year has truly exceeded my expectations, but I still have a lot to improve on", said K.J. recently. And when asked about his win at the Compaq Classic back in May - "I love the PGA Tour!"
|
Top
10 Finishes in 2002
|
Position
|
|
Sony
Open in Hawaii
|
Tied
for 7th
|
|
BellSouth
Classic
|
Tied
for 8th
|
|
Greater
Greensboro Chrysler Classic
|
Tied
for 7th
|
|
Compaq
Classic of New Orleans
|
1st
|
|
Tampa
Bay Classic presented by Buick
|
1st
|
|
Disney
Golf Classic
|
Tied
for 6th
|
|
THE
TOUR Championship
|
Tied
for 9th
|
Since coming onto the PGA Tour scene in 2000, K.J. has been steadily climbing in rank and stats.
| PGA Tour |
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Wins |
0
|
0
|
2
|
| Top 10s |
1
|
5
|
7
|
| Winnings |
$305,745
|
$800,326
|
$2,204,907
|
| Events |
30
|
29
|
27
|
| PGA Ranking |
134
|
65
|
17
|
| World Ranking |
-
|
192
|
48
|
So what's next for K.J.?
"I'll be heading back to Korea for a little R&R with my family before going to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the World Golf Championships: EMC World Cup in mid-December.", said Choi, who will be teaming up with two-time 2002 Asian winner, Hur Suk-ho, to represent Korea in this event.
During the off season of last year, K.J. spent the winter months down in Jacksonville, Florida at TPC Sawgrass honing his skills from sunrise to sunset. As fickle as golf is, it's likely that Choi will be there again working harder at his game. During the past year, K.J. has also worked with famed swing coach, Phil Ritson (pictured below on the right with K.J. and wife Hyunjung at the 2002 Disney Classic).
As for next season, another perk of winning on the PGA Tour will be an early invitation to play in the Mercedes Championships in Maui, Hawaii at The Plantation Course at Kapalua. This event officially kicks off the 2003 PGA Tour in early January.
Stay tuned for an interview with K.J. and his thoughts on this year...
To K.J. Choi - On behalf of all your fans, we salute you on a great year!!
Reported by Michael &
John Ohr
K.J. Choi Fan Central