Korean ‘Happy Gilmore’ Hosung Choi wins Japan Golf Tour event

Hosung Choi’s recent victory at the Casio World Open in Japan was remarkable for a number of reasons – not least of which because of his unusual swing.
Choi defied all conventional golfing wisdom as he claimed a one-shot victory over Brendan Jones to secure one of the biggest titles on the JGTO.
It’s very rare that 45-year-old golfers suddenly turn into world beaters again, five years after their best seemed to be behind them, and it’s even rarer when that sudden success comes about because of such a dramatic change in swing.
While it’s not quite as outrageous as the run-up swing Adam Sandler helped popularise in the film ‘Happy Gilmore’, it’s almost every bit as ungainly in its own way.
Choi literally leans over and swings himself off his feet, as if he’s shaking off an imaginary tackle after making contact with the ball. It’s also been described as a “back-leg kick around” before moving through the impact position – like Arnold Palmer, if he’d had a few too many, anyway:
No one's laughing at his score right now. #hosungchoi #choihosung #fishermanswing #golf pic.twitter.com/A4D19GXqQM
— Yong Lee (@bwv878) November 25, 2018
Still, Choi leaned, kicked and swung his way through 72 holes at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club last week before nailing a birdie on the 72nd hole to clinch a one-shot win:
Great #hosungchoi clutch 2nd shot on 18th. #greatestgolfswing. pic.twitter.com/jCeKoL6YAd
— Yong Lee (@bwv878) November 25, 2018
Wow. He did it pic.twitter.com/K4AtvlnuIe
— Yong Lee (@bwv878) November 25, 2018
And perhaps most incredibly of all – Choi’s newfound success doesn’t seem to be in spite of his incredible swing – but because of it.
The swing only recently entered Choi’s game, a natural adjustment he made after he started to lose flexibility and distance with his traditional one.
And it’s clearly paying dividends, as Choi returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in almost six years – at the ripe old age of 45.
Hosung Choi won — and took the greatest trophy photo of all time. #Legend pic.twitter.com/ZMEqSeh8uP
— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) November 25, 2018
Don’t expect Choi’s newfound success to spark a wave of imitators, however. That swing is definitely one of a kind.
Latest
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.