News
Sang-Moon Bae ruled back to South Korea for military conscription
Sang-Moon Bae, a two-time PGA Tour winner, will return to South Korea for two years of military service after losing a legal battle on Wednesday, according to a report from Yonhap News.
Bae was granted United States residency in 2013, but was charged with violating South Korea’s military service regulations in February. In the 29-year old’s home country, men between the ages of 18 and 35 must serve in the military for about two years, and men between 25 and 35 who have not yet served must obtain a special permit to stay overseas.
He was recently denied an extension on his expired travel permit, which would have allowed him to stay in the U.S., and filed an administrative suit in response against the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).
The Daegu District Court in Bae’s hometown, however, sided with the MMA, and he accepted the decision.
“I completely respect the court’s decision, and I humbly accept the judgment by the law,” Bae told Yonhap News. “I am sorry to those who have supported me, including all my fans and South Koreans, for causing anxiety.”
Bae, currently ranked No. 107 in the Official World Golf Rankings, has been allowed to stay in the U.S. and compete on the PGA Tour while the lawsuit transpired. He won the Frys.com Open in October 2014, competed in 21 events this season and most recently finished T54 at The Greenbrier, but says he will return to South Korea soon.
“I decided that I can mature further as a golfer by returning home as soon as I can and complete my mandatory military service,” Bae said.
Despite the ruling, he still remains in the field at this week’s RBC Canadian Open, which begins on Thursday.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT5
- WOW64
- LOL1
- IDHT2
- FLOP4
- OB5
- SHANK21
News
Five Things We Learned: Thursday at The Masters
The rains came early at Augusta, just as they did in Buffalo. The distinguishing factor was, they had a tournament to start in Augusta. Folks in Buffalo simply went to work, and paid attention to the clouds in north Georgia. By ten o’clock, the skies had cleared enough to begin play. Honorary tee shots were hit, and competitive play began. The delay assured that some of the afternoon groups would not sign scorecards on Thursday evening. Instead, they would rise early for completion of play, then turn right back around and go out for round two.
Round one was filled with the usual characteristics of major championship golf. A pair of golfers shot low rounds, with no guarantee that either would be able to preserve the blistering pace. Others gave shots inexplicably away, on the most confounding of holes, to push themselves away from the dream of the green jacket. Others played solid if unspectacular golf, to maintain the top of the board in sight. Finally, some held to a preserver for dear life, finding a way to stay within shouting distance of the leaders.
With that little bit of tease to lead us in, let’s get straight to the five things that we learned on Thursday at the Masters.
One: Can a horse be a horse for a course, for more than one round?
Both Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler have plenty of successful memories ’round the Augusta National course. Scheffle owns the ultimate prize, the 2022 green jacket, while DeChambeau was low amateur in 2016. That’s where the similarities end, however. DeChambeau has never finished higher than that low-am T21, while Scheffler has never finished outside the top 20 in four starts. DeChambeau has had fits of brilliance over the MacKenzie hills, but Scheffler is the one with four-round history.
While it seems unlikely the DeChambeau will miss the cut for a third consecutive time, the question of his ability to put rounds together remains. On Thursday, DeChambeau notched eight birdies on the day, and stumbled for bogey just once, at the ninth hole. For much of the day, he held a multi-shot lead over former champion Danny Willett, until Scheffler finished fast, with birdies at 12, 13, 15, and 16. His 66 brought him within one shot of the leader. Scheffler went without a bogey on the day, and ensured that DeChambeau would have much to consider over the night’s sleep.
Scottie Scheffler’s bunker shot on No. 12 finds the hole for birdie. #themasters pic.twitter.com/urr9NMj8gV
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2024
Two: Find a way to hang around
Rory McIlroy never looked like he had his best stuff on Thursday. Three bogeys on the day, including one at the gettable second hole, had him steaming. Unlike prior years, when his not-best stuff led to mid-70s numbers, Roars was able to four birdies along the way. His 71 won’t win any crystal, but it will keep him in the tournament. Does he need a 67 on Friday? Absolutely.
Will Zalatoris plays Augusta National as well as anyone. Eagles and birdies are always on the table for the young Texan. He reached four-under par at the 15th, but closed with two bogies for 70. Without the shot that you see below, he may never have found the mojo needed to reach minus-four. Moral of the story: find a way to get in the house with a number.
Will Zalatoris chips in on No. 5 to save par and remain in red numbers. #themasters pic.twitter.com/BeyiTsLiUp
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2024
Three: When you do things like this, find a way to keep it together!
The leaders’ board was filled with golfers like Ryan Fox (five-under through 12, inexplicable bogey at 13, finished minus-three), Erik Van Rooyen (minus-four through 13, only to close with three bogeys to finish one deep) Viktor Hovland (four below through nine, double at ten, one below at day’s end) and Matt Fitzpatrick (four deep through 13, three bogeys coming home.) What keeps these golfers from going deeper under par, or at least preserving their successful stature? It’s usually greed or the razor’s edge. There are too-safe places on the greens of Augusta, but there are always properly-safe areas, from where a two-putt is a probablility. In the case of most of these golfers, they either went at flags and short-sided themselves (leading to bogey) or tried to preserve their position, and landed in the three-putt zone.
Matt Fitzpatrick hits his tee shot close on Golden Bell, No. 12. #themasters pic.twitter.com/mRVfqszN3g
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2024
Four: How could you do this?
Rickie Fowler at 76, alongside Hideki Matsuyama. Guys, there were plenty of birdies out there! How could you manage to avoid them, and instead, stockpile the bogeys? Well, at least Hideki has a green jacket already, and at least Rickie has some crystal from Wednesday. Odds are that one of them will post 68 on Friday and make the cut.
A Wednesday to remember. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ycWS0DK9sb
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2024
Five: Which golfers do we hope to see finish strong?
With plenty of round-one action left for Friday morning, we’ve scanned the board and determined that Nicolai Højgaard looks pretty good at five-under through fifteen. We’ll take three pars. We expect one birdie. We’d love to see two or three birdies coming home. Yup, we’re greedy!
Max Homa bounced back from bogey at 12 with birdie at 13, to get back to four under par. We have the same expectations for the California kid: lots of birdies coming home. We have our eyes on a couple of guys at minus-one, and then there’s Tyrrell Hatton at three-deep, along with Ludvig Åberg at minus-two. Plenty of golf left for first-round positioning. Set your alarm for early and don’t miss a single shot!
Tiger Woods couples his drive with an accurate approach and putt to birdie hole No. 1. #themasters https://t.co/2mrLiETCzy pic.twitter.com/YhiQsIQgZH
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2024
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK1
News
Morning 9: Tiger’s Monday practice round | Brooks, Sergio switch putters | Masters eclipse glasses
|
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
7 PGA TOUR courses you need to play
Golf is a unique sport in that you can play where the pros play and make golf history of your own. Nothing in golf can compare to playing a world-renowned course and following in the footsteps of the game’s best golfers. The feeling is incomparable, and it’s one we think more golfers should experience!
To get you started, here are our picks of the best PGA TOUR courses you can (and should!) play:
PGA Tour courses you can (and should) play
- Pebble Beach
- TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course
- Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill
- Torrey Pines – South
- Harbour Town
- PGA National – Champion
- Innisbrook Resort – Copperhead
Pebble Beach Golf Links (AT&T Pro-Am, U.S. Open, PGA Championship)
One of the most recognizable golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links is the definition of a bucket golf course. Golfers will play iconic holes like the par-3 7th to the stunning par-5 18th. Enjoy great views of the Pacific Ocean as you play amongst the clifftop fairways and make memories that will last a lifetime when you play this PGA TOUR and major championship course.
TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course (THE PLAYERS Championship)
Home to arguably the most famous par 3 in golf, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is a top bucket-list course designed by Pete and Alice Dye. A challenging layout awaits that will test all facets of your game, especially shot shaping and course management. Subtle elevation changes, undulating greens, and unique bunkering add a degree of difficulty that stump even the best players in the world. Not to mention one of the best finishing stretches in golf with the long par-5 16th, the iconic 17th hole island green, and the testy par-4 18th.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill (Arnold Palmer Invitational)
A course fit for “The King” is what you will experience when you visit Orlando and play Bay Hill’s Championship Course. This classic Florida layout offers generous landing areas off the tee with few trees, but bunkers guard the greens and large ponds will make you rethink your shot choices. The course is only available for members and guests staying at The Lodge, so a stay is required to play this stunning course. But with year-round sunshine and pristine course conditions, it is never a bad time to visit Bay Hill!
Torrey Pines – South (Farmers Insurance Open, U.S. Open)
Another California clifftop course that should be on your bucket list is the South Course at Torrey Pines. Located just north of San Diego, this annual PGA TOUR stop has also hosted two U.S. Opens, which adds to the allure of the property. Narrow fairways and tall rough combined with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and the California coastline make for an unforgettable round of golf. Large bunkers and elevation changes add to the challenge of the course, but the moderately sized greens offer golfers some respite. Who would’ve thought that a municipal course could be so exciting?
Most recognized by the famous red and white striped lighthouse behind the 18th green, Harbour Town is the brainchild of Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. While the course is relatively short for a PGA TOUR event, the challenging design offsets length for accuracy with the narrow fairways framed by overhanging trees making it a shot makers course. A majority of the course winds through the wooded and sandy terrain before looping back towards the coastline with the final two finishing holes playing along the water.
PGA National – Champion Course (Honda Classic, Ryder Cup, PGA Championship)
With the prominent golf tournaments this course has held, it is hard to leave it off the list. A fantastic Jack Nicklaus design, the Champions Course at PGA National is also home to a famous stretch of golf holes called “The Bear Trap.” The fairways and greens are player-friendly while the bunkers and water hazards are the course’s biggest defense. You will enjoy a 5-star experience and feel like a professional when you visit PGA National’s Champion Course.
Innisbrook Resort – Copperhead Course (Valspar Championship)
One of the more under-the-radar courses on Tour, the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort still offers a challenge even to the pros. Designed by Lawrence Packard, the course, while not heavily wooded, requires accuracy with tight fairways, strategically placed bunkers, especially around the greens, and a decent amount of water hazards that come into play. As you head towards the clubhouse, you will encounter “The Snake Pit;” a collection of the most difficult finishing holes on the PGA TOUR.
There you have it, GolfWRXers. Have you played any of these PGA TOUR tracks? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments.
Editor’s note: This article is presented in partnership with Golfbreaks. When you make a purchase through links in this article, GolfWRX may earn an affiliate commission.
- LIKE8
- LEGIT4
- WOW0
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK3
-
19th Hole2 days ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
-
19th Hole3 days ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Charlie Woods finds it tough going on American Junior Golf Association debut
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Addiction, spinal fusion, and scam artists – Everything Anthony Kim revealed in candid interview with David Feherty
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Anthony Kim says doctors told him that he ‘may not have much time left’ ahead of LIV return
Steve Wozeniak
Jul 25, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Just think how much better we would be as a nation if we had that here!!!!!! We would have quite a few respectful people like this man, would we not??????
KK
Jul 26, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Mandatory military service is not the answer to producing more respectful people. I put a lot of blame on the parents who are raising these “disrespectful people.” If kids are taught to be respectful, then most of them will grow up to be respectful people. We hear stories all the time about parents getting into fist fights over their kids sporting events, fighting over parking spots or getting road rage, shooting people for silly reasons, fans knocking other fans out at professional events, or even spouses yelling at each other in front of their kids…..all of these things and countless others tell kids that its ok to act this way. A lot of people could be much more respectful to others, but mandatory military service is not the best option to getting there.
Joe
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Do your service to your nation, just as all other Koreans do…just because you have a great golf game should not exempt you.
Christosterone
Jul 25, 2015 at 9:24 am
if mandatory conscription were truly a necessary service then women would be required to enlist as well….or are they not as well appointed to perform military service? See what I did there?
-Christosterone
Joe
Jul 25, 2015 at 7:12 pm
Yes, I see what you did there; you made a dumb comment.
Christosterone
Jul 25, 2015 at 10:13 pm
How do you know I did not say it aloud?
-Christosterone
Christosterone
Jul 23, 2015 at 1:09 pm
other paul may not be popular but he’s not wrong either. I heard ballstrikka couldn’t play in the sandbox as a child cuz the cat would try to bury him
-Christosterone
Christosterone
Jul 25, 2015 at 9:02 am
Why would you steal someone else’s user name?
-Christosterone
Brian K
Jul 22, 2015 at 8:20 pm
You are funny. lol
Keith
Jul 22, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Wonder if he considered defecting? He’s going to give up prime earning years and it’s highly likely that his skills will erode without the time to practice and refine them. I’m sure it would be tough to turn your back on your country and heritage and never be able to return.
leo
Jul 22, 2015 at 4:40 pm
he should apply for citizenship from any country that will grant it quickly it wouldn’t be hard at all to turn your back on your country when millions of dollars are involved. golf is highly regarded in S. Korea so i think he will have plenty of opportunity to play and practice just not tournement rounds
Ph00ny
Jul 23, 2015 at 8:52 am
Not sure if that will solve anything since korea does not recognize dual citizenship last i heard. All because of some celebrity pulled a bait and switch when he said he would serve the military requirement on public tv and bailed out to US to avoid the miliatry service. This caused such an uproar that law makers made it a law to prevent people from obtaining foreign citizenship for men over 18 just to avoid military service
Brian K
Jul 22, 2015 at 8:19 pm
Don’t worry. He ll have tons of time to practice. Also He should teach Stars golf during 2 years of army service.
john
Jul 22, 2015 at 9:23 pm
a friend of mine is a professional golfer who had to return to korea for military service (not a tour player), he said you don’t get any time to practice.
other paul
Jul 22, 2015 at 1:23 pm
He should pay someone to go for him
Since they all look alike, shouldn’t be a problem
Hey Now...
Jul 22, 2015 at 2:51 pm
That is a pretty petty, offensive comment. I am sure your mother would be proud. Do you also have a confederate flag in the back window of your truck?
Mat
Jul 22, 2015 at 7:12 pm
yeah. sure you are.
TimJHU
Jul 23, 2015 at 7:44 am
Wow, there’s no place for comments like that on this sight. You need to talk with a professional about your bigoted views and try to rejoin the real world.
golfiend
Jul 23, 2015 at 1:52 pm
The rotten apple does not fall very far from the tree
other paul
Jul 23, 2015 at 4:49 pm
I wished I knew where you lived
Hey Now...
Jul 23, 2015 at 6:49 pm
I live in Liberal, Kansas. Come and get me pal.
doctorjedi
Aug 14, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Im asian and thats funny. People need to lighten up.