Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, October 24: K.J. Choi vowed to grow his own tournament, the CJ Invitational, into one of Asia’s finest despite being an ungracious host by winning the inaugural event on Sunday.
The Korean star comfortably triumphed at the immaculate Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club, denying young compatriot Noh Seung-yul, the reigning Asian Tour number one by two shots.
Choi, an Asian Tour honorary member and an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour, expects next year’s second edition to be raised several notches with the inclusion of more stars from the PGA Tour.
“This year, we’ve got Anthony Kim playing and I’m very happy he is supporting my tournament. The problem is the Presidents Cup in Australia (next month). Many players are stopping over in China, Singapore and Melbourne. There are too many tournaments for them,” said Choi, the world’s number 14.
“Some top players have talked to me that they’ll play in my tournament next year. In the future, we’ll have more big names coming over. I want players to say that I want to play in the CJ Invitational as it’s a good tournament with a good golf course, good condition, good food and good management to make it the best tournament.
“That’s why I’m checking everything. I’ve got two jobs,” he said.
Choi took a hands-on approach in the US$750,000 tournament which was sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korean Golf Tour. He ensured the roping for the galleries was done to allow crowds to watch the action comfortably and also enforced a ban on cameras and handphones. He also moved several tee boxes forward to ensure the galleries could watch the action from the back of the tees. His Foundation also supported various community projects.
The 41-year-old Korean, the Asian Tour’s first graduate to hit the PGA Tour, played host to players and sponsors all week long and was the last man to leave the club after the pro-am dinner on Wednesday night.
“The players felt how good the course conditions were and I think they were impressed in many ways. This tournament is going to get better. I’m looking forward to seeing this tournament grow into a top-class tournament in the world,” said Choi.
“I
’m so happy. I’m very proud. First event I’m hosting and then winning it. We were very successful and this was a first class tournament in Asia. Haesley Nine Bridges and CJ were fantastic,” said Choi.
Three-time PGA Tour winner Kim was also delighted to support Choi’s first hosting of a tournament.
“Everything about this tournament is first class. I know K.J. has put a lot of time into it to make it a world-class event. More players will start coming. The scheduling didn’t work out especially with the Presidents Cup. The tournament is what I expected it to be. This is run as good as any tournament I’ve played,” said Kim.
“It was a great week. K.J. put on a great tournament and the fans came out for this event and showed support. Hopefully I can come back next year and put on a better show.”
About the K.J. Choi Foundation
K.J. Choi, one of the most successful golfers to come from Korea, did not want to stop with his own personal success, but felt a strong social responsibility to give back to society and realized he needed a reliable means of doing so. Joining together with other community leaders in Korea who share the common idea, he established the K.J. Choi Foundation in 2007 for this purpose. K.J. Choi Foundation conducts major charitable projects for those who are faced in hopeless situations in Korean domestic and International communities. The Foundation especially focuses in the support of underprivileged children by lovingly providing welfare services and professional help, thus providing young people with hopes and dreams. K.J. Choi also works closely with many community leaders to help support junior golfers in difficult financial and environmental situations fulfil their dreams through his junior golf program, K.J. Choi Dream Team. K.J. Choi Foundation’s vision is to be a community leader that provides hope and happiness for all, and its purpose is to be a Foundation for everyone.
About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
About KGT
KGT is the governing body and representative group for Korean professional golfers. In this function it organizes, stages and sanctions tournaments for professional golfers in Korea. KGT holds more than 20 events each year. It aims to be one of the five major golf tours worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with other Tours through close cooperation around the world.
