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By Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents

HARRISON, N.Y. -- On Wednesday, K.J. Choi had said he expected to be warmed up and playing his best golf by the third or fourth tournament in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

K.J. Choi hopes his success now can benefit young people later. (Travis Lindquist/WireImage)

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

CHOI IN 2007

Category Total Rank Driving Distance 284.9 yds. 135 Driving Accuracy 64.39% 71 Greens in Regulation 64.58% 62 Putts per Round 1.786 76 Sand Saves 58.56% 9 Scoring Average 69.52 7 FedExCup Points 15,485 5 Money Leaders $3,673,659 5

• K.J. Choi's Player Page

If that's the case, then everyone had better look out. Judging by the way Choi has played in the first two rounds of The Barclays, he's way ahead of schedule.

The 37-year-old from South Korea fired a 66 on Friday at Westchester Country Club to move to the lead at 12 under par, two strokes ahead of Rich Beem. He's already made 12 birdies and one eagle while dropping just two strokes to par.

And if the tournament had ended Friday, Choi, who has already won twice on the PGA TOUR this year, would have taken over the top spot in the FedExCup standings. And if he were to hold onto that spot four weeks from now when the Playoffs conclude, Choi knows just what he would do with the $10 million bonus.

The money would go to charity.

Choi, who was seeded fifth entering the Playoffs, made headlines at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational last month when he first talked about making the donation -- only to be told by his friend Charlie Wi that the bonus was deferred until retirement. Reminded of that misunderstanding on Friday, Choi smiled.

"But you know, even if I did know, my plan would not have changed," he said. "My objective in life is to help other kids and other people. If I would win this week, or if I were to end up winning the FedExCup, I'm still going to donate that money. Whether it's deferred or in a lump sum, I'm still going to give it to the charities that need it."

Choi, who now lives in a Houston suburb, is involved with two charities in his homeland -- Korea Food for the Hungry International and the Leftover Organization. He also tithed one-tenth of the $900,000 he won in Greensboro in 2005 to the Korean Presbyterian Church he attends there.

"I think every kid, whether its adolescents, teenagers or young kids, they all need a dream," Choi said. "Without a dream, you can't accomplish anything. As a professional golfer that can be a role model, I've always thought: how can I help these kids; how can I help them achieve their dreams.

"They may have nothing now, but with help, if they become someone important, they can help the world become a better place."

Choi plans to establish a foundation in the fall. According to his agent and interpreter, Michael Yim, Choi would like to create something like the Tiger Woods Learning Center where young Koreans can live, play and learn the life lessons from the game.

"He knows he can help kids with all the big money out there," Yim said, "and that motivates him even more."

The significance of Choi's intention was not lost on his fellow pros.

"K.J. is a phenomenal guy," Beem said. "He's probably one of the nicest guys on TOUR. I compare him to a guy like Nick Price. You always see him, he's always smiling, shakes your hand, 'How you doing, how you doing, my friend, good to see you.'

"I have the utmost respect for K.J. and for him to say that, that's fantastic. He comes from Korea, so I'm sure if he can give the money to worthy causes and charities over in Korea, I'm assuming he'll make some in Houston, as well.

"That's phenomenal."

Choi goes back to Korea several times a year. His parents, who were farmers and fishermen, still live on the island of Wando where Choi was born. The solidly built 5-foot-8, 185-pounder was a weightlifter until he was 16 and a teacher suggested he try golf.

"The first shot he ever took, he hit a 7-iron so solid he can't forget it even now," Yim said. "He went back home that day and told his parents that he was going to become a golfer. They knew nothing about golf, but he said, 'Don't worry about me. I'll be good on my own.'"

Choi's parents did have a friend who was a golfer, and he was a member of a golf club on the mainland. Choi would put his clubs in the back of the truck and drive three hours, round-trip, daily to practice. Usually, he'd leave before the sun came up and sometimes played 72 holes a day.

"He's that type of guy," Yim said.

Choi earned his PGA TOUR card in 1999 at the age of 29. He has won six times -- including the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley and AT&T National this year -- and more than $15 million on TOUR. He's got a total of six top-10s and 15 top-25s in 21 starts this year.

Choi's record at Westchester Country Club, prior to this week, that is, hasn't been stellar, though, with ties for 64th and 33rd and a missed cut in his three appearances. He thinks he's finally figured out what was holding him back.

"In the past, all my shots, I tend to hit my shots however the hole is shaped," Choi said. "So if it's a dogleg right, then I will try to fade it. If it's a dogleg left, I'll try to hook it, draw it. And that created a lot of missed shots, hooks, slices."

So Choi settled on a fade this week, and the decision certainly appears to be the right one. In two rounds, he's hit 24 of 28 fairways and 29 or 36 greens in regulation.

"(I) just hit it in one direction, whether it's a dogleg left or whether it's a dogleg right," Choi said. "Just have consistency in my shots. It's a very simple reason, but it's made a lot of difference."

Indeed. Just like the difference he could make come Sunday with that $1.26 million first prize.