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.
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.
Phil Mickelson, K.H. Lee and Justin Thomas are as different as they come but the trio delivered feel-good and standout moments on the PGA TOUR to show the beautiful game of golf is in a very good place and thriving for the right reasons.
Australian Golf Digest
