Jeev Milkha Singh enjoyed many great victories during his illustrious career but perhaps his finest was his memorable win in the Volvo China Open in 2006. It was his first success in seven years and opened the floodgates for three more wins that season and another five in the ensuing years. We look back at the victory – achieved on this day 15 years ago – in China’s capital city, which marked the Indian star’s revival.

Jeev Milkha Singh’s incredible success and endless list of firsts achieved for his country in the game gloss over the fact that there were some serious bumps in the road for the Indian legend.

When he claimed the Lexus International in Thailand in 1999 for his ninth win in Asia, and third on the Asian Tour, all seemed in order and his continued rise to stardom on the perfect trajectory.

BEIJING – APRIL 16: Jeev Milkha Singh of India with the winners trophy after the final round of the Volvo China Open at the Beijing Honghua International Golf Club on April 16, 2006 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

However, having already been a professional for seven years, the effect of pounding golf balls, week in, week out, finally caught up with him and he was beset by injuries – in particular, a career-threatening wrist injury.

He struggled, season after season, until the turning point – an epiphany of sorts – came in the world’s most populous country in the second week of April, 2006.

In the 12^th staging of the Volvo China Open he emerged from a stressful seven-year drought to claim the title and signify his return to the topflight – much to the relief of his millions of fans.

He was 34 years old at the time and carded a final round 70 at the Honghua International Golf Club, in Beijing, for a 10 under par total of 278 to lift the trophy by one shot from Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

BEIJING – APRIL 16: Jeev Milkha Singh of India celebrates with his caddy after winning the Volvo China Open at the Beijing Honghua International Golf Club on April 16, 2006 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

To say it was an emotional victory is an understatement and it gave him the final proof that his years in the wilderness were over.

“This is fantastic,” he said at the time. “When I was injured, I didn’t know if I was going to come back in the sport. When I came back I wasn’t thinking the same way. I was struggling, I was putting pressure on myself and I was getting down. And after that, you don’t think right. I started working hard and the wrist became better and things started looking better for me. I’ve just won and it’s one of the best feelings.

“I just can’t explain this feeling. It’s like a dream come true. I’ve always tried hard to win and today, I just went in there with reverse psychology thinking that if it doesn’t happen, never mind. I just wanted to give it my best shot. And it worked out perfect for me. I’m really excited and happy the way it worked out.”

One shot adrift of playing partner David Lynn from England at the start of the day, things did not start promisingly for Singh when he bogeyed the opening hole. But he regrouped bravely and birdies at the third, fifth and seventh holes saw him reach the turn in 34 and one shot clear at the top of the leaderboard.

Fernandez-Castano tried his best to spoil Singh’s comeback win, especially on the 365-yard 17th.

The Spaniard hit a spectacular six-iron second shot, from sand, which finished five feet from the pin.

The resulting birdie three pulled him to within a shot of Singh, playing in the final match behind, but any real hope he had of forcing a play-off ended when he pulled his drive into the woods at the last and had to chip out one handed and backwards on his way to a bogey five, a 70, a nine under par total of 279 and second place outright.

Singh, who had not dropped a shot all day since his blemish on the opening hole, made bogey on the last, three putting from 40 feet after his second shot landed on the front edge of the putting surface.

But it was enough to secure the title and restore his confidence and faith in his game.

Earlier in the day, a bizarre incident had threatened to thwart his challenge.

On the 11^th hole his wayward drive ended in the woods, where a spectator picked up the ball and ran away with it, forcing Singh to ask permission from a tournament referee to replace it.

“My ball was down there and this guy was walking with my golf ball in his hand,” said Singh. “There were so many people saying so many things to him and he got confused and scared and just let the ball go.

“I just told him to relax, and the rules official came and told the guy to tell me where the ball stopped. The person asks him, and while he was doing it someone from the gallery came out and kicked him.”

It was the same calmness in the face of adversity that saw him go on to complete his comeback win and begin the most successful chapter in his career.

After over a quarter of a century officiating on the Asian Tour, Thailand’s Wanchai Meechai has chosen to stepdown from his role as Senior Tournament Director, and referee on an event-by-event basis. We talked to him about his journey with the Asian Tour, and also got the back story about how his daughter Wichanee Meechai – currently playing on the LPGA Tour – started playing the game.

If you have been to an Asian Tour event, at some point over the past couple of decades, the chances are that you will have seen Wanchai Meechai on the course, keeping a watchful eye over proceedings.

“I have travelled to almost every event since starting all those years ago, and I’ve technically been with the Asian Tour for 26 years now,” said the 67-year-old, Senior Tournament Director on the Asian Tour, from his home in Bangkok this month, after announcing he plans to wind down his career with the Tour.

He uses the word “technically” because his introduction to the Tour was a gradual process.

CHON BURI-THAILAND- Asian Tour referee Wanchai Meechai of Thailand pictured at the Singha Thailand Champions Tour 2021 event at the Burapha Golf & Resort, Chon Buri, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Rules Rookie

The popular Thai was a Tour professional for five years – he turned professional in 1987 – before his friend Somchai Hiranpruek, an official on the local Thai Tour, refined his knowledge of the rules and also taught him how to set up a golf course for a professional tournament.

“After that I decided to become a rules official,” said Wanchai.

His big break came in 1995 when the Thailand Golf Association sent him to assist the Tournament Director, David Parkin, at the Asian PGA International – an Asian Tour event played at Sriracha Golf Club, near Pattaya.

“That was when I first met David Parkin, my first international teacher. He taught me how to set up the course, mark the course and, basically, how to do everything. It was very hands-on then. He made me learn by doing,” adds Wanchai.

He also started to work at Thai PGA events and his education and exposure to life on Tour was further enhanced when Khun Santi Bhirombhakdi, President of Singha Corporation – the long-standing main supporter of golf in Thailand – asked him to be a translator for the country’s top players such as: Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant, Chawalit Plaphol, Prayad Marksaeng, and Thammanoon Sriroj.

He says: “They could not speak English then, so I travelled with them and helped them with translation and assisted with whatever they needed, for a while.”

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand assisted by his caddy, Wanchai Meechai of Thailand, during a practice round at the Scotscraig Golf Club, Fife, Scotland. Jaidee will pre-qualify on Sunday July 16th for The Open Championship at St Andrews to be held in July 2000. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

It was not long before the Asian Tour regularly engaged his services as a rules official – something that Singha helped him with by assisting with expenses.

“David Parkin came to realise that I was a good assistant to him, so he hired me to work with him at the Asian Tour. I was working with him on an event basis and it was only in 2004 that I officially joined the Tour as a permanent staff. I am the first Thai professional to join the Asian Tour as a member of staff,” said Wanchai.

It was a landmark achievement for the popular Thai and, indeed, his country.

Globetrotting for golf

He says there have been many highlights along the way, not least the chance to travel and work at the biggest tournaments in the game.

“I think the most memorable moments in my career were my experiences at Augusta. I was very lucky to be there for The Masters Tournament three times. I felt very proud to be representing the Asian Tour there,” he said.

He also went to The Open on four occasions, The US Open once, and the PGA Championship at Wentworth six times.

LYTHAM ST ANNES, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Asian Tour rules official Wanchai Meechai of Thailand on the 1st tee pictured on day three of the 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes on July 21, 2012 in Lytham St Annes, England. (Photo by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)

“I had the chance to go to Switzerland as well. I think I made seven to eight trips there for the Omega European Masters. It’s really beautiful and I must say it’s my favourite amongst the places I have travelled to so far. Even though I didn’t venture out of the course!” he adds.

“I also got to see snow for the first time in Arizona, when we were there for a WGC event. The weatherman suddenly said it might snow. No one was prepared for it. I remember I was on the course without any winter gear on! The buggy I was on did not have roof as well. It was so cold. It’s funny now thinking back about it.”

DUBLIN, OH – OCTOBER 06: (L-R) Wanchai Meechai and Brendan de Jonge of the International Team
on the first hole during the Final Round Singles Matches of The Presidents Cup at the Muirfield Village Golf Club on October 6, 2013 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR)

Proud Father

While life as an Asian Tour official was all consuming, there was also another very big part of his life that was to also make a significant impression on planet golf: his daughter Wichanee.

“I took both my daughters (Wannisa and Wichanee) to practice at the Army course when they were about eight to nine years-old. I bought a set of clubs for both of them and made them practice but they were not very interested. They would hit two to three balls and then went to eat. I eventually gave up after a while as I thought they were not interested. I told them it’s not going to work out and asked them to go back to their studies,” said Wanchai.

CARLSBAD, CA – MARCH 23: Wichanee Meechai of Thailand plays during the practice round for the KIA Classic at the Aviara Golf Club on March 23, 2021 in Carlsbad, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Game over it appeared, but not quite.

He adds: “They were fine with it. My elder daughter (Wannisa) was very good with her studies. My younger one (Wichanee) was good as well but the elder one was better. To my surprise, when Wichanee was around 14 years old, she came to me and said she wanted to play golf.”

He told her that if she wanted to play golf, she must follow his instructions to the T … and the tee.

Wanchai with his daughters Wichanee (left) and Wanissa (right) (Courtesy of Wanchai Meechai)

Wanchai wasted no time in capitalizing on his daughter’s sudden interest in the game and took her out from a normal school and sent her to a special college where she could study two days a week and play golf and practice the other days. And while he coached her in the beginning he soon felt it best for her to see a “proper coach”.

“I said: ‘Don’t tell me you’re not good. If you’re not good, go and practice’. This is what I always told her. She had very good self-discipline. I never had to wake her up to practice or exercise. She knows what she has to do. Every morning, she would go to exercise and practice by herself,” commented Wanchai.

Wichanee also trained at Thongchai Jaidee’s academy and shortly after turning professional, when she was 19 years old, she won her first event on the Thai LPGA, and later claimed titles in China, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.

And of course since 2017, she has been a regular on the LPGA Tour, gradually making her mark there with three top-10 finishes to date and with more expected from the 28-year-old.

CHON BURI-THAILAND- L-R Thongchai Jaidee, Boonchu Ruangkit and Asian Tour referee Wanchai Meechai of Thailand pictured at the Singha Thailand Champions Tour 2021 event at the Burapha Golf & Resort, Chon Buri, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Super Senior

While Wichanee continues to work hard on building her career, her father has plans for the next chapter of his life.

“I’m going into a semi-retirement now but actually, I am still fit. I went for a heart bypass last year but I’ve recovered and I’m well now. I will still work for the Asian Tour on an event-by-event basis. I am just no longer a permanent staff with the Tour,” said Wanchai.

He also wants to spend time helping to promote women’s golf in Thailand as he says although the country has so many great players, he feels there could be many more.

And having watched so much golf overs the years, and seen his daughter hit the big-time, he still has that itch, the competitive one, to get out and play.

CHON BURI-THAILAND- Asian Tour referee Wanchai Meechai of Thailand pictured at the Singha Thailand Champions Tour 2021 event at the Burapha Golf & Resort, Chon Buri, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I went to play on the Thai Champions Tour. They have a super senior category. It was great to be back playing competitively. I really enjoyed it. I get to see all my old friends and get to talk to them.

“Just last week, I met Boonchu, Thongchai, Thaworn, Prayad at the event. I know I can’t beat them but it was fun. I am looking forward to the next one.”

CHON BURI-THAILAND- L-R – Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee, Asian Tour referee Wanchai Meechai. Prayad Marksaeng and Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand pictured at the Singha Thailand Champions Tour 2021 event at the Burapha Golf & Resort, Chon Buri, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday to become the first player from his country to win a men’s Major championship.

The 29-year-old finished a shot ahead of American rookie Will Zalatoris, after carding a final-round one-over-par 73 for a tournament total of 10-under.

He also became only the second Asian-born player to triumph in a Major – after Korean YE Yang’s victory in the 2009 US PGA Championship.

Matsuyama started the final day with a four-stroke advantage over four golfers — England’s Justin Rose, Australia’s Marc Leishman and Americans Xander Schauffele and Zalatoris.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He survived some mistakes late on, and a challenge from Schauffele, to claim the Green Jacket in thrilling circumstances.

Schauffele fired four straight birdies before his bid for honours ended with a triple-bogey on the par-three 16th.

“I felt nervous from the start of the day and right through until the end,” said Matsuyama.

“I was thinking about [my family] all the way around. I’m really happy I was able to play well for them.”

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hugs his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He recovered from a bogey on the first with birdies on the second, eighth and ninth. He then extended his lead to six on the back nine, but he gave Schauffele some hope when he found water going for the green in two on the par-five 15th.

After Schauffele’s fourth straight birdie, the lead was down to two shots with three to play, but the American’s charge came to an end on the 16th hole.

Matsuyama found a greenside bunker on the 18th, but splashed out to give himself two putts to win the title.

“Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer and many other Japanese will follow,” said the Japanese star, the winner of five titles on the PGA Tour and eight on the Japan Golf Tour Organization.

Korean KJ Choi may have just fallen short of winning a Major but his performances in The Masters Tournament, which tees-off at Augusta National Golf Club tomorrow, were an inspiration to Asian golfers and paved the way for players from that continent to continue where he left off. We look back at the two memorable Masters that could have easily seen the Korean don on a Green Jacket.

When Korean Sungjae Im tied for second in last year’s Masters, five shots behind American Dustin Johnson, there was no doubt the result – the best finish by an Asian at Augusta National Golf Club – had its genesis in the genius of his illustrious compatriot KJ Choi.

Choi, much to the disappointment of millions of his fans, never won a Major but he went further than any other Asian had gone before in the Majors by finishing in the top-10 on six occasions. He was a pathfinder for Asian golf and his lack of silverware in the Majors was compensated for by eight victories on the PGA Tour – most notably The Players Championship in 2011.

AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 11: Ernie Els of South Africa chats with K.J. Choi of Korea on the 12th tee during the final round of the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2004 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

And although his friend and countryman YE Yang spoilt the party at the Choi hacienda by becoming the first Asian to win a Major, when he triumphed in the 2009 US PGA Championship, it was Choi’s results in the Majors there were perhaps the greatest inspiration for players from the Far East.

To be more specific, it was his heroic play in the Masters that acted as a beacon of hope for the next generation.

Most notably, it was his third-place finish in the Masters in 2004 and equal-fourth placing in 2010 that will be long remembered.

AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES: K.J. Choi of Korea tips his hat on the 11th fairway after after his eagle during final round action of the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club 11 April 2004 in Augusta, GA. Choi started the round at 3 under par. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)

EAGLE SEASON

In 2004, Choi had Asian fans on the edge of their seats when he shot 31 on the back-nine on Sunday to finish three shots behind American Phil Mickelson. South African Ernie Els claimed second, one behind the winner.

Choi, playing with Els, began the final round three shots off the lead and struggled on the front nine with two bogeys, making the turn in 38. But a pure five-iron on the 11th – the third most difficult hole of the week – changed everything for the Korean.

His ball rolled straight into the cup for an eagle, only the third eagle on 11 in Masters history.

Choi, 33 at the time, then closed with birdies on 13, 14 and 16 to shoot 69 and record his career-best performance in a Major.

A remarkable performance considering he made his debut in the event a year earlier, finishing in a for 15^th, demonstrating his immediate affinity for the tournament.

“More years, more experience, more comfortable,” said Choi at the time, who opened with a front-nine 30 on Friday to tie a course record.

The six-time Asian Tour winner added: “This is going to help me positively with my swing and the development of my game.”

AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 08: Tiger Woods (R) plays his tee shot on the first hole as K.J. Choi of Korea (L) and a gallery of fans look on during the first round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

TIGER WATCH

Six years later Choi again came close to claiming the year’s first Major.

Starting the day four strokes behind overnight leader Lee Westwood from England, he briefly joined Mickelson in a share of the lead with eight holes to play before slipping back with bogeys on 13 and 14.

He retaliated back with a birdie at the 15th but that was where the rally ended. He returned a 69 to finish in a tie for fourth with American Tiger Woods, five shots adrift of Mickelson, who claimed his third Green Jacket.

Choi fittingly summed up what the result really meant: “In the past … the mindset of the Asian players was that when it comes to the Masters, there was a fear factor there, that we can’t do it.

AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 08: KJ Choi of South Korea (L) shakes hands with Tiger Woods on the 18th green during the first round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“Now I hope that this gives motivation for the younger players, other players, that they can do it at big tournaments like the Masters.”

Choi had the added pressure of partnering Woods for all four rounds as the world number one made his return after admitting to a string of extra-marital affairs.

“It was exciting like 2004, but only this year I think it was, on a personal level, it was better for me because my playing level has improved a lot compared to 2004,” said Choi.

“I think it was more gratifying for me this year and the fans were very supportive and just playing with Tiger for the last four days it was a very good experience for me.”

Choi will not be playing in the Masters this year but four Asians will be competing: Im, Chinese-Taipei’s CT Pan, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, and Korean Siwoo Kim.

Pan thrilled his army of fans back home by finishing equal seventh last year; Matsuyama enjoyed a best finish of fifth in 2015; while Kim was tied 21^st in 2019.

All performances that suggest more is to come from Asia’s current generation of golfers this week; all performances that pay homage to KJ Choi, arguably, the architect of their success.

Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong claimed the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship two weeks ago, but there is always another winner there every year and that is the great man himself, Boonchu Ruangkit. We spoke to the five-time Asian Tour winner, and two-time Thailand Open champion, that week about his popular event – which is hosted on the All Thailand Golf Tour and normally co-sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour, except during seasons when coronavirus is prevalent.

How have you been during the pandemic, where were you, and did you play golf?

I have lived in Bangkok and Khao Yai (in Nakhon Ratchasima province). If the situation was not so good, I would stay in Khao Yai. Friends would come to visit me there and we played golf together very often.

Tournament host Boonchu Ruangkit in relaxed mode during a busy week. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

You must have been very relieved that you can stage your event this year and last year?

My tournament was postponed twice because of coronavirus. Today, I am extremely happy that I have done as I promised to the players. I remain committed to nurturing the future generation of Thailand’s professional golfers but admit that the COVID-19 crisis made this year’s edition the most challenging to organise.

Why did you first start the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship?

Thailand’s senior golfers have moved on to become legends, so we have to build the new generation. We should have tournaments for them to gain experience, help their income and give them the chance to attend international tournaments on the Asian Tour and Japan Tour.

My tournament is organised to allow young Thai players to sharpen their skills and pursue their careers on the international stage. I believe that our golfers are second to none and it is very important that we have an appropriate development programme for them, as well as a wealth of tournaments.

LPGA star Ariya Jutanugarn was in attendance. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

How happy have you been with the event’s progress?

The progress has been excellent and I am very happy with what we have achieved so far. I would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support this year, and every year. This year was particularly exciting as for the first time we had four women professional golfers and some celebrities attend the event. It certainly added some colour to the tournament, especially seeing the women compete with the male golfers; this would have been a great experience for them.

What have been the highlights for you over the years about your event?

Importantly, we have worked hard to make sure the tournament is international standard. You will see a players’ lounge, a LED display on the 18th green, and of course it is broadcast live on television and it is streamed live.

We want to ensure our players compete in an environment that is the same as when they play overseas. This will help them be more comfortable and confident when they compete in other countries.

My tournament can serve as a springboard for Thais to play in the global arena.

And of course, it has been great that the top players from Thailand complete in my event every year.

Boonchu said this year’s event was the most stressful edition. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

What are your long-term plans for the event?

We will have to see what happens with coronavirus, but we are confident the situation will improve.

I still want to make the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship an event where senior and young players can meet each other every year. It is a special situation.

However, much also depends on the continued support from our sponsors.

Is it hard work staging your own event?

It’s harder and harder to organise the tournament every year. This year it’s been really hard work, because of the coronavirus crisis. This year we had less sponsors compared with the previous year, but it is understandable in this climate especially for sponsors in sectors hardest hit. It has been a challenge, but we have been very determined to keep going.

During your playing career what do you think your greatest achievements were?

Every tournament was important for me and I did my best every time. Also, being the president of the Thailand PGA Tour and helping the development of professional golf in Thailand makes me very proud.  It is very rewarding to play a part in helping golfers, especially the youngsters, to play and develop their skills.

All precautions were taken to make sure the event was safe from COVID-19. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Do you miss those playing days?

Yes, I miss those playing days. When I see young golfers playing on the tour, I would like to join them but I’m too old now. Now I’m looking forward to playing on the Senior Tour in Thailand soon.

What was the secret to your great success when playing and winning?

Sponsors have been the secret to my career success. I would like to thank them for the support. They are behind my success. I would never be the person I am today without them.

Korea’s Wooksoon Kang is one of the Asian Tour’s greatest players. A two-time winner of the Order of Merit, he was the dominant player in the late 90s. We caught up with him last week, in Korea, and discovered that he is on-passing his gift for the game to the next generation of golfers in the Land of Morning Calm. 

Food is perhaps an appropriate subject to discuss first with Korean golf legend Wooksoon Kang.

Not because some kind of secret diet was behind a celebrated career that saw him win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 1996 and 1998, claim seven Asian Tour events, and 12 Korean Tour tournaments.

22 Feb 2001: Kang Wook-soon of Korea before he plays his second shot to the 4th green during the first round of The Caltex Singapore Masters being held at The Singapore Island Country Club, Singapore. X Digital Image. Mandatory Credit: Matt Turner/ALLSPORT

But rather quite the opposite, as it was widely reported that it was cuisine that partly led to the curtailment of his career.

To be more precise it was American, or western, food that quickly brought an end to his dream of playing on the PGA Tour.

In 2003, having swept all before him in Asia and having the claimed the last of his Asian Tour titles at the 2001 Thailand Masters, he chose to head to that most feared of golfing contests, the PGA Tour Qualifying School.

He made an impressive first appearance, making it through to the Final Stage and just missing his card by one stroke. Although it was not the result he was looking for, it gave him passage onto the lucrative second-tier Nationwide Tour.

South Korea’s Kang Wook-soon holds up the trophy after clinching the four-day 300,000 US dollar Hong Kong Golf Open with a two-stroke victory after firing a four-under-par final round 68, 29 November in Hong Kong. Kang held off England’s Edward Fryatt to finish with a 12-under-par total 272. AFP PHOTO/Robyn BECK (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

However, after playing six events, in 2004, he decided to pull up stakes and head home.

“There was a problem because of the food,” said the 54-year-old.

“I played for about six months in the first half of the year, and my score was good. But in America they have bread in the morning. It’s not easy to eat. I had a problem with my body.”

He said he prepared thoroughly for his attempt to play on the PGA Tour and that the courses were very good, but he desperately missed the tastes of home.

At one point he even tried to get his caddie to cook for him, but that was unsuccessful

“The caddie was a man, so it was not easy for him to cook well,” joked Kang.

After returning to Korea he claimed a couple of events on home soil before gradually winding down his playing career.

16 Feb 2001: Kang Wook-Soon of Korea plays his third shot to the 14th green during the second round of the Carlsberg Malaysian Open being held at Saujana Golf and Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. X Digital Image. Mandatory Credit: Matt Turner/ALLSPORT

So, how does the quiet and unassuming Korean spend his time these days?

He explains: “Last year, I participated in several tournaments on the KPGA Champions Tour but I’m no longer playing. Since 2017, I have focused on my academy – the Wooksoon Kang Golf Academy. It focuses on finding talented young people and potential CEOs. And I also commentate on golf competitions – more recently the Genesis Open and GS Caltex Maekyung Open – plus I appear on the air.”

He said that it has taken him 10 years to build his business, after overcoming some difficulties early on. He first secured the business in 2008, when he was competing in the SBS Johnnie Walker Blue Label Open.

“After hearing that I had won the business, I won that tournament,” he says.

Kang adds that he was influenced greatly by Kunhee Lee, the late Chairman of Samsung Group, and that his academy is not just a typical golf driving range and par-three course, but rather a ‘system of education’.

“Each year, 1,000 young people learn golf here. They come to learn golf through  educational organizations, local sports associations, and other associations. It is for Korean golf,” he says.

The Korean was on business in Vietnam in February of last year when coronavirus first broke out and by the time he had returned home soon after the situation had become serious.

“We could go to practice ranges as they complied with the government’s COVID-19 quarantine rule to stay 2.5 metres apart. But there were many days when indoor facilities, such as fitness centres, swimming pools, and saunas, were closed. Fortunately, as golf is an outdoor game it did not affect us too much,” he adds.

However, he does point out that when he does go for a round of golf, the culture has changed a lot, and he heads home immediately after, not stopping for a chat, shower or food.

Kang considers his finest win to be the Maekyung LG Fashion Open in 2000.

He beat Australian Kim Felton by one stroke in what is considered one of Korean golf’s Majors.

“The galleries were huge and the difficulty was very high. There was a difference in tension compared with other competitions, so I remember it the most,” he added.

And so, amongst all the highs during a sparking career, was the biggest disappointment?

“It was the 1996 Alfred Dunhill Masters [played at the Hong Kong Golf Club]. At that time, I had a neck-and-neck race with Bernhard Langer. I often faced Langer. I was defeated by him at that time and that is the most regrettable moment of my career.”