In one of the most compelling stories of the year, the 38-year-old American has stood tall with his perseverance and determination evoking just as much inspiration to fans from all walks of life.
Before the emergence of now eight-time PGA Tour winner Hideki Matsuyama, Ishikawa was the darling amongst fans and Japanese media who were desperate to embrace a sporting hero that would inspire a golf-mad nation.
The evergreen slogan “These Guys Are Good” aptly describes the stars who shine on the PGA Tour week in and week out with their extraordinary skills and talent. It should be known that these are also good guys, with very big hearts.
Since its inauguration in 2007, only 13 golfers have managed to get their hands on the glittering, season-long FedEx Cup trophy – out of a possible 2,709 across the past 16 seasons.Â
It was at the Genesis Scottish Open exactly a year ago that Kim, who was then 20, broke out in a big way after a top-three finish at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick. Although he’d already enjoyed success in Asia, it proved to be a week where the world of golf finally took notice of this prodigious young talent from Korea as he sparkled in a truly world-class field.
Securing a three-peat, or winning the same tournament in three successive years, is such a rare occurrence on tour that only three golfers in the past 40 years have achieved the feat. Lee has the chance this week to become the fourth.
The Masters is not one for the faint-hearted and the Korean star, who is a two-time PGA Tour winner, knows that his proven track record at the fabled venue will make him a worthy contender.
A mixed dose of brutal honesty and tough love from his father, Du Ryu, has kept Si Woo Kim well and truly grounded as he pushes to grow his legacy on the PGA Tour as one of Asia’s greatest golfers.
As the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing kicks off in Singapore this week before journeying to Thailand and India, it will serve as a massive boon to the region’s aspiring golfers with dreams of chasing history and legacy.
Now 80 years young, the Japanese octogenarian is still in the forefront of the game where he now serves as chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
It has been a happy year to remember for Asian golf after standout performances and historic achievements by the game’s best from the Far East as they continue to stamp their mark on the globe’s elite playground, the PGA Tour.
Whether Tom Kim’s meteoric ascend will create a new momentum for the men’s game in Korea and across Asia, as Pak once did for women’s golf, is yet to be seen but there are parallels and early indication to suggest another boom may well occur in the Far East.Â
Im has no doubt the camaraderie and bond that have been built and strengthened over the past few years will serve the team’s quest to finally upstage the Americans again.
Kim’s terrific rise has since earned him automatic qualification into the International team where he will be the second youngest player after Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa to feature in the Presidents Cup.
Lee can’t thank his mother enough for keeping the family business running primarily on her own while his father took on the role of driver, chaperon and confidante during his formative golf years.
The same golf gods who ensured an historic first Masters Tournament triumph for Asia 12 months ago are now being called upon to ensure Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama is fully fit to put up a worthy title defence this week.
This year’s Players Championship will celebrate its 48th edition and marks the 40th anniversary that the prestigious event is being played at the Pete Dye-designed Stadium course.
Yang, who celebrated his 50th birthday on January 15, will turn a new chapter in his golf book when he makes his debut on PGA Tour Champions at the Chubb Classic starting in Naples, Florida on Friday.
When K.H. Lee looks back to the starting point of his golf journey, he can only marvel at how a twist of fate which saw him learn the game with a Ted Lasso-type swing coach has since led him to stardom on the PGA Tour.
A throwaway comment by Rory McIlroy after he missed out on a bronze medal was worth its weight in gold as golf’s much talked-about acceptance in the Olympic Games was reinforced following two glorious weeks at Tokyo 2020.
Australian Golf Digest
