Tournament article

Kansai Open Golf Championship 2019

Making a comeback or not? S K HO returns to the game with some hesitation

Many golf fans must remember S K HO, who speaks perfect Japanese in very gentlemanly manner. He came back to the Tour this week and is making an appearance at Kansai Open since 2017. On Wednesday, he played along with some of the young guns and felt a bit left out from the Tour, from the one he once knew very well.
"Japan Tour has changed in a good way since the one that I knew 2 years ago."

S K HO first joined the Japan Tour in 2001, by becoming No.1 on the Money Ranking at the Challenge Tour. Then on following year, he achieved his first victory at Sumiken Sangyo Open. In 2004, he has won the Japan PGA Championship and also the Japan Golf Tour Championship right after, has become the top star in Japan Tour.

In 2005, he has defended his win at the Japan PGA Championship, and has boosted his popularity to stardom. He also learned to speak fluent Japanese which made many fans to get fascinated by his character as well. But after his 8th Tour win at 2008 Lexus Championship, he was pushed away from the winner's circle, and lost his money rank seed in 2016, at the age of 43. That time he has decided to leave Japan Tour and lead his second golfing life back in Korea.

He took time to spend with his family and also became a lesson pro on television. He also hosted an academy for supporting Korean women golfers. This year's venue, KOMA CC was also the course for his golf lesson TV program, and from that relationship he was given a sponsor invitation.

He was grateful for the offer, but also puzzled. He has been away from competitive golf for too long. He did feel that he wanted to get back into action, but after the practice round with the young guns, he feels he is out of it and worthless to compete against them.

He also feels hesitation to come back to the game, because if he does, he must put aside the lesson pro businesses which is going pretty well nowadays.

"I would like to enjoy being Tour Pro again this week, and with whatever the result I get this week will influence my decision for the future."

S K HO must face so many things to decide during the game.