Playing With “Bodyguard” and Flowing with Rhythm of a Saxophone

Implementing a good shot with the rhythm of a “saxophone” and escorted by a “bodyguard.”

“Tank” Choi Kyung-koo (Superior, TaylorMade) finished off a fresh start tied in 4th place (5-under par, 67) playing with world celebrities in the 2004 PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AM with prize money of $5.3 million.

The amateur who was matched up with Choi this day was the “magician of the saxophone” Kenny G (47· USA). It was Kenny G`s request for this pairing since their first round together in last year`s Target World championships Pro-AM.

Golf maniac Kenny G, who had paid a visit to the Korea once where he has many fans, commented after the end of the round, " I became Choi`s fan after I teed off with him last year. I wasn`t satisfied with my play today, but I loosened up and played." Kenny G’s handicap is one.

Choi, about the day, commented, "It can be really distracting to play in front of a gallery accompanied by stars and losing focus due to the rowdy atmosphere, but I’m satisfied

with the first round score."

The partner of the American new face Jonathan Beard, who is in his 2nd year in the

PGA tour, to face off with Choi in the same group was film director and actor Kevin

Costner(49·USA). Costner was the starring actor for “Dances with Wolves” and swept

seven Academy Award nominations. To Korean fans, he is familiar for the movie

“Bodyguard” performed with Whitney Houston. Costner`s official handicap number is

14 as he starred in the golf movie “Tin Cup.”

Choi and Costner played in the same group because a player from one group can

not advise a player from the opposing group, but they kept to themselves

throughout the match and just greeted with handshakes before teeing off and

also after the round.

Most of the top ranked golfers on this day, which is the first preliminary round out of three and will all be played on Poppy Hills (par 72, 6833 yards), which is the easiest out of the three courses, placed well. Including Choi Kyung-joo, Matt Kuchar (USA) who is on top of the leader board with a 7-under par, 65 strokes, and tied in 4th is Vijay Singh, who is challenging a PGA tour record of finishing in the top 10 in 12 consecutive tournaments, were the lucky hitters to take advantage of the course.

On the other hand, Na Sang-wook(20· Koh-Rong Elord) played the first round in Poppy Hills but ended the round tied in 121st place (2-over par, 74) and will face a tough 2nd and 3rd round.

The defending champion Davis Love III (USA) struggled with the toughest Spyglass Hills GC (par 72, 6862yards) and fell to a tied 142nd place with 3-over par, 75 and clouded his hope for back-to-back championships. On the other side, the “handicapped golfer” Casey Martin(USA), who plays with a electric cart, performed well and finished the day tied in 51st place (1-under par, 71)

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com