2024 became an unforgettable year for ‘tank’ Choi Kyung-ju.
Choi, who was born in May 1970, won the SK Telecom Open (total prize money of 1.3 billion won) held in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, with a total of 3-under 281.
Choi Kyung-ju, who played overtime with Park Sang-hyun, 13 years younger than himself, defended the par in the second extra period, beating Park Sang-hyun, who failed to make a par putt, to the top.
In particular, Choi Kyung-ju’s second shot in the first overtime seemed to fall into the water, but the ball was barely alive in the penalty area that fell short of the green, and he was able to continue his hope of winning by blocking it with par here.
The previous record for the oldest KPGA victory was 50 years and 4 months achieved by Choi Sang-ho at the 2005 Maekyung Open, and Choi Kyung-ju surpassed this for nearly four years and held the trophy at the age of 54.
It was a moment when Choi Kyung-ju, who wrote the history of Korean golf by winning the PGA Tour for the first time as a Korean at the Compaq Classic in May 2002, produced a meaningful scene once again.
It was the first time in 11 years and 7 months that Choi Kyung-ju won the KPGA Tour tournament since the CJ Invitational in October 2012.
After achieving his first career KPGA Tour victory at the Phantom Open in May 1995, he has maintained his unchanged skills almost 30 years later.
In July, Choi won the Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland with a 10-under 278 total, making it the first Korean to win a senior major. 메이저사이트
Choi Kyung-ju, who ranked seventh in the PGA Champions Tour prize money rankings this year ($1,631,257, about 2.3 billion won), looked back on the 2024 season in an interview with Yonhap News in November, saying, “It’s a year where 100% of what I prayed for at the beginning of the year was correct.”
Choi Kyung-ju is constantly advancing toward a meaningful record in 2025.
It is highly likely to play in 498 PGA regular tour tournaments and fill 500 appearances, and one of the long-term goals is to be named in the Golf Hall of Fame.
