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Will the Presidents Cup in Korea get ‘Korean vs. Korean American’ card?

February 17, 2015

In L.A. to compete in the Northern Trust Open this week, K.J. Choi and Kevin Na talk about the Presidents Cup’s impact on S. Korea.  

Kevin Na, left, and K.J. Choi discuss South Korea's role as host to the President's Cup at the Riviera Country Club Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Brian Han/Korea Times)

Golfers Kevin Na, left, and K.J. Choi discuss South Korea’s role as host to the 2015 Presidents Cup at the Riviera Country Club Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Brian Han/Korea Times)

By Brian Han

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – The 2015 Presidents Cup will be held in Asia for the first time at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, South Korea.

Seoul-born Korean American golfer Kevin Na is in a peculiar position when it comes to the event.

If he racks up enough FedEx Cup points during the season, he’ll earn his place on the U.S. Team and compete against the International Team featuring South Korean K.J. Choi as vice captain alongside Captain Nick Price.

Although their interests may eventually conflict, the two professional golfers sat down Tuesday at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., site of the Northern Trust Open, to discuss the benefits such an event can bring to the golf-obsessed nation of South Korea.

“Win or lose, I think this will be a wonderful opportunity for the players and the country,” he said. “Something big like that can motivate and inspire South Korea’s junior golfers to dream that someday they can play at this level.”

Na shared that sentiment and also shared his support for Korean golfers to make it onto the International Team.

“If there’s a Korean player that makes the team… the Korean fans will be able to relate more and create more buzz for the fans,” Na said. “I personally hope that one of the guys makes the team. Kids will watch, be inspired and dream about playing professionally. The Riviera was the first tournament I saw as a 10-year-old when my father brought me out and I dreamed about playing out here. Here I am.”

So far, Bae Sang-moon is the front runner and is ranked 17th among eligible international golfers, but he’s currently in a legal battle with his native country.

He faces charges for not reporting for mandatory military service.

Noh Seung-yul is also a contender who’s ranked 27th.

Choi’s name still shows up high up on leaderboards from time to time and as a vice captain, he can still make his way onto the 12-player roster.

Even though the 44-year-old is a Presidents Cup veteran with three appearances, he gave reporters a heavy dose of realism.

“When you consider my age, it is difficult to even get into the top-50,” Choi said. “Some people ask me about what would be the best time to retire from golf. When I hear things like that, I wonder if I can make the team on my own merit. Of course I would love to play my way onto the team. Whatever happens, I will do my best to help the International Team play its best.”

As for Na, he is currently in 17th just ahead of Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson in the standings. He was in a similar position in 2014.

Even if he doesn’t finish in the top-10, there’s a decent chance he’ll be chosen as a captain’s pick because of his knowledge of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.

“A lot of people have been asking me about the course because I’ve played there before, I know the golf course and I can tell players are getting excited,” Na said.

The Presidents Cup is more than seven months away, but the event already weighs heavy on Na’s list of priorities.

“It’s gotta be right behind the majors,” he said. “Obviously, winning a major is the number one achievement you can have. The Presidents and Ryder Cup is something you want to be a part of before your career is over. Especially with the Presidents Cup being in Korea this year with where my heritage is, I’d love to be a part of it.”