Name: K.J. Choi | Making History
Uploaded: 2020-11-04T14:56:42.315Z
Duration: 561 s
Description: After switching from competitive weightlifting to golf at age 16, some said K.J. Choi would never be good enough to compete on the PGA TOUR. 21 years later, “Tank,” as his fellow South Koreans call him, is the most successful Korean player in PGA TOUR history with eight wins. He’s still going strong in his latest chapter – PGA TOUR Champions – where he hopes to continue Making History.

'Growing Roots: 25 Years of Korean Golf' covers the 25th anniversary of K.J. Choi becoming the first Korean to join the PGA TOUR in 2000, and the growth of Korean golf since. Learn about current stars Tom Kim, Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, and Byeong Hun An as they followed in the footsteps of Choi and Y.E. Yang to success on the PGA TOUR.

The History of Korean Golf | Growing Roots | PGA TOUR Originals

In the opening round of the 2023 Sony Open in Hawaii, K.J. Choi makes birdie on the par-4 16th hole.

K.J. Choi makes short putt for birdie at Sony Open

In the opening round of the 2022 3M Open, K.J. Choi makes birdie on the par-3 13th hole.

K.J. Choi nearly aces at 3M Open

In the second round of the 2022 John Deere Classic, K.J. Choi makes birdie on the par-3 16th hole.

K.J. Choi tight tee shot yields birdie on No. 16 at John Deere

In the opening round of the 2022 John Deere Classic, K.J. Choi makes a 13-foot birdie on the par-3 12th hole.

K.J. Choi sends in 13-foot birdie putt at John Deere

In the opening round of the 2021 John Deere Classic, K.J. Choi lands his 131-yard approach 2 feet from the cup, setting up a birdie at the par-4 6th hole.

K.J. Choi dials in approach over trees to set up birdie at John Deere

In the second round of the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson, K.J. Choi lands his 221-yard tee shot 4 feet from the cup at the par-3 15th hole. He would make the putt for birdie.

K.J. Choi nearly aces No. 15 at AT&T Byron Nelson

In the second round of the 2021 Valspar Championship, K.J. Choi lands his 191-yard tee shot 14 feet from the cup at the par-3 13th hole. He would make the putt for birdie.

K.J. Choi uses nice tee shot to set up birdie at Valspar

In the second round of the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open, K.J. Choi hits one close and makes birdie at the par-5 18th hole.

K.J. Choi knocks approach close, makes birdie at Farmers

In the opening round of the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open, K.J. Choi birdies after a lengthy two putt at the par-5 17th hole.

K.J. Choi two putts for birdie at Farmers

In the opening round of the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii, K.J. Choi makes a 27-foot birdie putt on the par-3 11th hole.


K.J. Choi sinks a 27-foot birdie on No. 11 in Round 1 at Sony Open

In the opening round of the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii, K.J. Choi makes a 27-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th hole.

K.J. Choi sinks 27-footer for birdie at Sony Open

In the opening of the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii, K.J. Choi lands his 76-yard approach 3 feet from the cup at the par-4 10th hole. He would make the putt for birdie. 

K.J. Choi uses nice approach to set up birdie at the Sony Open 

K.J. Choi birdies No. 12 in Round 2 at Mayakoba

In the opening round of The RSM Classic 2020, K.J. Choi makes a 16-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th hole at the Sea Island Resort Seaside Course.

K.J. Choi rolls in birdie putt at The RSM Classic

After switching from competitive weightlifting to golf at age 16, some said K.J. Choi would never be good enough to compete on the PGA TOUR.  21 years later, “Tank,” as his fellow South Koreans call him, is the most successful Korean player in PGA TOUR history with eight wins. He’s still going strong in his latest chapter – PGA TOUR Champions – where he hopes to continue Making History.

K.J. Choi | Making History

In the second round of the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, K.J. Choi gets up-and-down for birdie from just short of the green at the par-4 15th hole.

K.J. Choi gets up-and-down for birdie at Shriners 

Before every round K.J. Choi plays on the PGA TOUR, he goes through an extensive warm up routine, and we have an all-access look at how the 8-time winner prepares for competition.

K.J. Choi's pre-round warm-up routine

In the second round of the 2020 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, K.J. Choi jars a 30-foot putt to make birdie at the Pebble Beach par-3 7th hole.

K.J. Choi rolls in 30-footer for birdie at AT&T Pebble Beach

In the opening round of the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open, K.J. Choi sinks a 16-foot putt to make birdie at the par-4 9th hole.

K.J. Choi drains 16-foot birdie putt at Waste Management

Check out some of the best displays of short game skills in Presidents Cup history, from bunker shots to clutch chips and dramatic putting. 

Best of: Short game at the Presidents Cup

Captain Ernie Els heads to the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne with the youngest-ever Presidents Cup team with seven first-timers. Relying on the past experience of Adam Scott, who makes his 9th appearance, Marc Leishman, Hideki Matsuyama, Hideki Matsuyama and Louis Oosthuizen to guide the International team to a win on friendly soil.

Meet the International Team for the 2019 Presidents Cup

Prior to THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES 2019, the Presidents Cup International Team Facetimed with Captain Ernie Els and bonded over a Korean Barbecue dinner.

Presidents Cup International Team dinner

In the second round of the 2019 Sanderson Farms Championship, K.J. Choi sinks a 40-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th hole.

K.J. Choi sinks a 40-foot birdie on No. 18 in Round 2 at Sanderson Farms

Prior to the 2019 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, K.J. Choi returned to St. Michael Special School - the same school he visited in 2003 and 2004. 

K.J. Choi visits old friends at St. Michael Special School

In the opening round of the 2019 Valspar Championship, K.J. Choi sinks a 13-footer for birdie at the par-5 11th hole.

K.J. Choi rolls in 13-footer for birdie at Valspar

In the final round of the 2018 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, K.J. Choi makes a great play from the edge of the green to card birdie on the par-4 16th hole. 


K.J. Choi's clever chip-in birdie at AT&T Pebble Beach

In the second round of THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES 2017, Luke List moves ahead of 18-hole leader Justin Thomas by two with his flawless 5-under 67.

Luke List captures the solo lead at THE CJ CUP

In the second round of THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES 2017, K.J. Choi knocks his second shot in tight to set up a short putt for birdie on the par-4 8th hole. 


K.J. Choi's solid approach yields birdie at THE CJ CUP

In the opening round of THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES 2017, K.J. Choi attacks the pin from the fairway on the par-4 14th hole resulting in a tap-in birdie. 


K.J. Choi's approach dances around the hole at THE CJ CUP

In the opening round of the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, players took advantage of the soggy conditions as nearly the entire field sits at even par or better.


Players go low in Round 1 of RBC Canadian Open

Following an opening-round 66, K.J. Choi reflects on his play in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open with Mark Zecchino from PGA TOUR Radio.

K.J. Choi interview after Round 1 of RBC Canadian

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Following the 2026 the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, PGATOUR.COM’s Paul Hodowanic shares his top five things to remember from Muirfield Village, including J.T. Poston’s impressive victory, Ryan Gerard’s heartbreaking defeat and tough weeks for both Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

The Five: Things to remember from the Memorial

Check out all the best shots from the final round of the Memorial, featuring Wyndham Clark, J.T. Poston, Sam Burns and Ryan Gerard, among others. 

Highlights | Round 4 and Playoff | the Memorial

Check out the best bets that cashed this week at the 2026 the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, including another strong performance from Si Woo Kim, a late surge from Ryan Gerard and a victory from J.T. Poston.

Winning Wagers: Top five bets that hit at the Memorial

After defeating Ryan Gerard on the second playoff hole to with the 2026 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, J.T. Poston discusses winning his first tournament of the year after a rough start to 2026, mental struggles believing in himself, staying patient on Sunday and coming out on top.

J.T. Poston interview after winning the Memorial

On the second playoff hole at the 2026 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, J.T. Poston makes par with a two putt, while Ryan Gerard makes a three-putt bogey and Poston wins his fourth PGA TOUR title.

J.T. Poston pars to defeat Ryan Gerard on second playoff hole to win the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, J.T. Poston's drive on the 482-yard, par-4 18th went 314 yards into the right fairway, his 162-yard approach landed on the left green 7 feet 5 inches from the hole, and he made the 7-foot-5-inch putt for birdie.

J.T. Poston gets up-and-down from 162 yards for birdie on No. 18 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, J.T. Poston hits his third shot to 11 feet at the par-4 17th hole. Ryan Gerard then makes a 37-foot birdie putt on No. 17 to get to 12-under par. Poston responds saving a par to stay 11-under par heading into the par-4 72nd hole. Poston then hits his second shot on No. 18 to 7 feet, making the birdie to tie Gerard at 12-under. Gerard responds by making a 5-foot comebacker to save par and force the playoff.

Gerard, Poston trade clutch, closing birdies to force playoff at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, Ryan Gerard's drive on the 484-yard, par-4 17th went 291 yards into the left fairway, his 201-yard approach landed on the right green 36 feet 9 inches from the hole, and he made the 36-foot 9-inch putt for birdie.

Ryan Gerard sinks 37-foot birdie putt on No. 17 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, Wyndham Clark's tee shot on the 200-yard, par-3 16th hole landed on the left green, 9 feet 10 inches from the cup, and he made the 9-foot-10-inch putt for birdie.

Wyndham Clark hits tee shot to 10 feet, sets up birdie on No. 16 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, J.T. Poston's drive on the 549-yard, par-5 15th hole traveled 298 yards into the right fairway. His 243-yard approach from the fairway found the left bunker, leaving 39 feet 4 inches to the hole. Poston's 42-foot-11-inch shot from the greenside bunker landed on the left green 3 feet 7 inches from the cup, and he made the putt for birdie.

J.T. Poston drains 4-foot putt for birdie on No. 15 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, Sam Burns's drive on the 549-yard, par-5 15th hole traveled 315 yards into the right intermediate rough, leaving 232 yards to the hole. His 240-yard shot from the rough landed on the left green 26 feet 9 inches from the cup. Burns missed his first putt from 28 feet 7 inches, stopping 2 feet 1 inch short, and made the 2-foot-1-inch putt for birdie.

Sam Burns reaches par-5 No. 15 in two, makes birdie at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, Ryan Gerard's 135-yard shot from the primary rough found the right fairway, leaving 102 yards to the hole. His 103-yard approach from the fairway landed on the left green 6 feet 3 inches from the cup, and he made the 6-foot-3-inch putt for birdie.

Ryan Gerard gets up-and-down from 103 yards for birdie on No. 15 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, Wyndham Clark's drive on the 549-yard, par-5 15th traveled 311 yards into the right rough, leaving 234 yards to the hole. His 141-yard shot from the primary rough found the right fairway, and his 93-yard approach landed on the left green 8 feet 8 inches from the cup. Clark made the 8-foot 8-inch putt for birdie.

Wyndham Clark's 93-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 15 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, Eric Cole's 296-yard drive on the 549-yard, par-5 15th hole found the right fairway, leaving 252 yards to the pin. His 254-yard shot from the fairway landed on the left green 12 feet from the hole. Cole's 13-foot-5-inch first putt finished 15 inches short, and he made the 15-inch putt for birdie.

Eric Cole reaches par-5 No. 15 in two, makes birdie at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, Tommy Fleetwood's 312-yard drive on the 549-yard, par-5 15th found the left fairway, leaving 240 yards to the hole. His 239-yard approach landed on the left green 4 feet 7 inches from the cup, and he made the 4-foot-7-inch putt for eagle.

Tommy Fleetwood reaches par-5 No. 15 in two, makes eagle at the Memorial

In the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2026, Maverick McNealy makes birdie on the par-5 15th hole.

Maverick McNealy makes birdie on No. 15 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, J.T. Poston's drive on the 374-yard, par-4 14th hole went 253 yards into the left fairway, his 115-yard approach landed on the right green 18 feet 4 inches from the hole, and he made the 18-foot-4-inch putt for birdie.

J.T. Poston's 115-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 14 at the Memorial

In the final round of the 2026 Memorial, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 549-yard, par-5 15th went 309 yards into the left fairway, leaving 243 yards to the hole. His 247-yard shot from the fairway landed in the left rough 50 feet 9 inches from the cup, and he made a 12-foot-5-inch shot from the fairway for birdie.