One Who Laughs Last

Despite the sudden chill in the air, Korean golfers, male and female, will face much heat this weekend in all corners of the world.

Many Korean golfers will compete for glory in three upcoming major international tournaments to be held in U.S, Europe, and Japan. As the end of the season draws near, each Korean golfer who will compete against the best in the world is determined to bring home good news.

Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) Dunlop Phoenix Tournament-

This tournament will be held for four days starting November 17 at Phoenix CC (par 70) in Miyazaki-ken. It is a significant tournament with winning prize money a hefty 40 million yen (approximately 360 million won).

Tiger Woods (U.S.) is aiming for his second consecutive win after the last year’s game. Colin Montgomery (Scotland), this year’s U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell (New Zealand), and Jim Furyk are also top favorites.

As for Korean players, Huh Seok-ho (Nongshim) and Kim Jong-deok (Nano Soul), regulars in Japanese tournaments, as well as Choi Gwang-su (Popoci), the best in national prize winnings, will also compete.

LPGA Tour ADT Championship-

The four-round stroke play raises its curtain on November 17 at Trump International GC (par 72) in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Jang Jung, Park Hee-jung (CJ), Lee Mina, Han Hee-won (Fila Korea), Kim Ju-yeon (KTF), Kang Su-yeon (Samsung Electronics), Kim Mi-hyeon (KTF), and Kim Young (Shinsegae) are the eight Korean players that will complete. Korean-American pro Christina Kim is trying to prolong her high for another week. The mighty Annika Sorenstam of Sweden is looking to achieve both her 10th win this season and her second consecutive win.

World Cup Golf-

This is an international competition starting on the night of November 17 at Victoria GC (par 72) in Algarve, Portugal as part of the World Golf Championship Series.

Twenty-four nations will participate in the two-round, foursome game, where only the best scores from the two-men team are totaled as the team score. Choi Kyong-ju (Nike Golf) will team up with Jang Ik-je (Hite) as the Korean national team. Koreans first started competing in this game in 1956. With the best-ever couple to compete in it, the Koreans are determined to outdo their third place tie in 2002 achieved by Choi Kyong-ju and Huh Suk-ho. The total winning prize money is $4 million, with the winning nation being awarded $1 million.