Choi could lift NZ Open with power play

If not for an observant coach, a young K J Choi may have spent his sporting life lifting weights.

Instead, 30 years on, he has become the most successful golfer of all time out of Asia.

The 47-year-old Choi will start in the 99th New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort and The Hills on March 1-4, 2018.

As a teenager Choi, who grew up in a farming family on the island of Wando off the southern coast of South Korea, had become proficient as a powerlifter at his local high school.

One day the coach split the group in two, instructing the line that included Choi that they would now play golf instead. Choi, who had been able to squat 160kg at age 13 – which earned him the nickname of ‘‘Tank’’ – thought he had out-smarted his coach by quietly slipping back to the powerlifting.

But he was spotted and informed strongly that he would now play golf, given a single club and a book by Jack Nicklaus called Golf My Way. Three decades later, Choi could write a similar book.

With unwavering discipline and determination, Choi would take a two-hour bus ride at 5am to the golf course, where he would practise until dark and then return home.

Even his community tried to convince him he was wasting his time. After six years of steadfast resilience and a further two years of military service, Choi turned to the paid ranks.

In those early golfing times he travelled to New Zealand with a group as part of a winter training camp, something he remembers vividly.

‘‘What I remember most was the beautiful trees on the golf course. I can’t believe it has already been 21 years since I was there and I’m very excited to return,’’ said Choi. ‘‘It will actually be my first visit playing as a professional golfer.’’

His first victory came two years after turning pro, in the Korean Open in 1996, which led to the Japan Golf Tour, where he won twice in 1999, and which in turn opened the door to an automatic spot on the US PGA Tour. Choi struggled in his rookie season and had to requalify in 2001, but buoyed with that experience, he has been a regular ever since.

His first victory in the US came the next year, becoming the first Korean to win on the PGA Tour, and he followed with a second win in Florida by a massive seven shots.

In 2003 he also won in Europe and continued his rise with a number of top-10 finishes, highlighted by wins in the Memorial and AT&T National in a month, elevating him to the top five in the world.

Choi fought back from a injury that thwarted his back 2009 season with strong performances in 2010, including a fourth at the US Masters, leading to his victory at the Players Championship in 2011, when he beat David Toms in a playoff.

He remains in the top 25 on the PGA’s all-time money list and has amassed 20 wins, eight of them on the PGA Tour, and earned around $NZ55 million.

‘‘This is my 19th season on the PGA Tour and my 25th playing professional golf, and under God’s grace I’ve been able to play this long,’’ he said.

‘‘The motivation for me comes from the fans. I would not have achieved what I have been able to do without the support of the fans. That said I’ve always tried to repay them by playing my best on the golf course and I intend to keep playing.’’

Over the last three years, Choi has played less and his world ranking has dropped, but he is still motivated to play at the highest level.

‘‘I am no longer the young gun out there but I play every tournament with optimism, believing in myself that I can still do great things. I’m still hungry to achieve my personal goals. It’s not easy but I really want to send a message out there that it begins with diligence and preparation.’’

Choi believes he can win again on the PGA Tour and will also look to the senior Champions Tour in three years

Away from the golf course he enjoys watching movies, examining the skills of the actors, their personality and passion.

‘‘In my opinion the skillset required to become a professional actor is very much similar to professional golf.’’

Choi is coming to New with some firm focus.

‘‘I’ve already begun my preparation for New Zealand and everything is going well. I am excited to return.

‘‘It would be nice to play well and to be in a position to win.’’ Zealand