K.J. Choi Bio
Choi Kyung-Ju, widely known as K.J. Choi, is a South Korean professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Born on 19 May 1970, he turned professional in 1994 and has since won more than thirty tournaments worldwide, including eight on the PGA Tour. His most prestigious victory came at the 2011 Players Championship, and he spent 40 weeks inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Early Life and Background
Choi was born in Wando, South Korea, a small island community that would later honor him with a public square named Choi Kyung-ju Plaza. Before discovering golf, he was a competitive power lifter and could squat 350 pounds as a 13-year-old weighing only 95 pounds. That strength earned him the nickname “Tank” among South Korean fans, a moniker that has followed him throughout his career.
He later attended Gwangju University, where he continued to develop his athletic profile before committing fully to golf. His early years in Wando, combined with the discipline learned through power lifting, helped shape the work ethic that would define his professional approach.
Path to Golf
Choi turned professional in 1994 after fulfilling his military obligation and quickly established himself on the Korean Tour. In 1995 he earned his first professional victory and was named Korean Tour Rookie of the Year. He followed that with back-to-back Korean Tour Order of Merit titles in 1996 and 1997, along with Player of the Year honors in the same seasons.
He expanded his footprint in Asia by claiming two Japan Golf Tour titles in 1999 and winning the Asia Golf Circuit Order of Merit that same year. These results positioned him for a historic step: finishing tied 35th at the 1999 PGA Tour qualifying tournament made him the first Korean player to earn a PGA Tour card.
K.J. Choi Career
Early Career (1994–1999)
Choi’s early professional years were spent primarily on the Korean Tour, where he collected 17 career victories and added Player of the Year awards in 2002 and 2003. His success in Asia created a clear path toward the United States, and his 1999 qualifying finish secured his PGA Tour card for the 2000 season.
His rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2000 ended with a 134th-place finish on the money list, requiring him to requalify. From 2001 onward, however, he became a consistent presence on the tour, setting the stage for breakthrough moments in the new century.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2002–2008)
In 2002, Choi became the first Korean to win on the PGA Tour, capturing the Compaq Classic of New Orleans and adding the Tampa Bay Classic later that year. He continued to build his resume with a victory at the 2003 Linde German Masters on the European Tour, his lone win on that circuit.
The 2007 season marked a major step forward. He won the Memorial Tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus, a victory he credited to lessons drawn from Nicklaus’s book “Golf My Way.” Later that summer he reached the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time, and in January 2008 he won the Sony Open in Hawaii, climbing to world number seven. A victory at the inaugural AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods at Congressional Country Club further cemented his status, highlighted by a dramatic sand-trap birdie on the 17th hole.
Off the course, Choi donated $320,000 of his 2008 Sony Open earnings to the families of victims of a deadly warehouse fire in Seoul, reinforcing his reputation for generosity.
Players Championship and Continued Success (2009–2011)
Choi added a fourth Asian Tour title at the 2009 Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia, a tournament shortened to three rounds because of weather. His defining moment, however, came in May 2011 at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. He defeated David Toms in a sudden-death playoff, rolling in a three-foot par putt on the 17th hole to claim the largest victory of his PGA Tour career. He also donated $200,000 to victims of the April 2011 tornadoes in the southeastern United States.
PGA Tour Champions Era (2020–Present)
Choi qualified for the PGA Tour Champions in May 2020 after turning 50. In September 2021 he won the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links, his first victory on the senior circuit. In July 2024 he captured The Senior Open at Carnoustie, becoming the first South Korean player, man or woman, to win a senior major championship. He held the lead after the second and third rounds and closed with a two-shot victory over Richard Green.
Driving Style and Strengths
Choi built his career on accuracy, course management, and the physical resilience that traces back to his power-lifting background. The “Tank” nickname reflected a willingness to overpower par fives while still striking fairways, and his relationship with caddies and swing coaches emphasized discipline over flash.
Notable Events and Milestones
His signature moments include the 2002 Compaq Classic, making him the first Korean to win on the PGA Tour; the 2007 Memorial Tournament; the 2008 Sony Open in Hawaii; the 2011 Players Championship playoff win over David Toms; and the 2024 Senior Open at Carnoustie. He also represented South Korea as coach of the men’s golf team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
K.J. Choi Career Wins
Choi has compiled more than thirty professional victories across multiple tours, including eight PGA Tour titles, seventeen Korean Tour wins, six Asian Tour wins, two Japan Golf Tour wins, one European Tour win, and two PGA Tour Champions titles.
PGA Tour Highlights
His first PGA Tour win came at the 2002 Compaq Classic of New Orleans, and he quickly added the Tampa Bay Classic that same year. Major victories include the 2007 Memorial Tournament, the inaugural 2007 AT&T National, the 2008 Sony Open in Hawaii, and the 2011 Players Championship, his signature title.
Senior Tour and Other Wins
On the PGA Tour Champions, he won the 2021 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach and the 2024 Senior Open at Carnoustie. Earlier in his career, he claimed the 2003 Linde German Masters on the European Tour and two Japan Golf Tour titles in 1999, in addition to multiple Asian Tour victories.
| Tour | Wins |
|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 8 |
| PGA Tour Champions | 2 |
| European Tour | 1 |
| Asian Tour | 6 |
| Japan Golf Tour | 2 |
| Korean Tour | 17 |
K.J. Choi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Choi’s family roots are in Wando, South Korea, where the public Choi Kyung-ju Plaza honors his achievements. His early life in the island community shaped his character, and he has remained connected to the area throughout his career.
Personal Life
Choi is married to Hyunjung Kim, his wife, in a Christian ceremony officiated by Rev. Ha Yong-jo. He is a devout Christian and member of the Korean United Methodist Church, and in December 2023 he was ordained as an elder at Onnuri Community Church. The couple resides in Southlake, Texas, near fellow South Korean PGA Tour player Yang Yong-eun. He is also known for charitable work through the K.J. Choi Foundation.
2025 Season Performance
Choi continues his PGA Tour Champions career in 2025, building on the momentum of his 2024 Senior Open victory at Carnoustie. His standing as the first South Korean to win a senior major has elevated his profile on the over-50 circuit, and he is expected to be a regular contender in 2025 events.
As he navigates the PGA Tour Champions schedule, Choi benefits from the experience of more than three decades in professional golf and a fitness base shaped by his early power-lifting days. His consistent play in 2024 set a strong foundation heading into the new season.
With a confirmed place among the senior game’s elite, Choi’s 2025 outlook centers on contending for additional senior majors and PGA Tour Champions titles, while continuing his charitable work through the K.J. Choi Foundation.