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Sang-Moon Bae ruled back to South Korea for military conscription

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Sang-Moon Bae, a two-time PGA Tour winner, will return to South Korea for two years of military service after losing a legal battle on Wednesday, according to a report from Yonhap News.

Bae was granted United States residency in 2013, but was charged with violating South Korea’s military service regulations in February. In the 29-year old’s home country, men between the ages of 18 and 35 must serve in the military for about two years, and men between 25 and 35 who have not yet served must obtain a special permit to stay overseas.

He was recently denied an extension on his expired travel permit, which would have allowed him to stay in the U.S., and filed an administrative suit in response against the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).

The Daegu District Court in Bae’s hometown, however, sided with the MMA, and he accepted the decision.

“I completely respect the court’s decision, and I humbly accept the judgment by the law,” Bae told Yonhap News. “I am sorry to those who have supported me, including all my fans and South Koreans, for causing anxiety.”

Bae, currently ranked No. 107 in the Official World Golf Rankings, has been allowed to stay in the U.S. and compete on the PGA Tour while the lawsuit transpired. He won the Frys.com Open in October 2014, competed in 21 events this season and most recently finished T54 at The Greenbrier, but says he will return to South Korea soon.

“I decided that I can mature further as a golfer by returning home as soon as I can and complete my mandatory military service,” Bae said.

Despite the ruling, he still remains in the field at this week’s RBC Canadian Open, which begins on Thursday.

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

22 Comments

22 Comments

  1. Steve Wozeniak

    Jul 25, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    Just think how much better we would be as a nation if we had that here!!!!!! We would have quite a few respectful people like this man, would we not??????

    • KK

      Jul 26, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      Mandatory military service is not the answer to producing more respectful people. I put a lot of blame on the parents who are raising these “disrespectful people.” If kids are taught to be respectful, then most of them will grow up to be respectful people. We hear stories all the time about parents getting into fist fights over their kids sporting events, fighting over parking spots or getting road rage, shooting people for silly reasons, fans knocking other fans out at professional events, or even spouses yelling at each other in front of their kids…..all of these things and countless others tell kids that its ok to act this way. A lot of people could be much more respectful to others, but mandatory military service is not the best option to getting there.

  2. Joe

    Jul 23, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    Do your service to your nation, just as all other Koreans do…just because you have a great golf game should not exempt you.

    • Christosterone

      Jul 25, 2015 at 9:24 am

      if mandatory conscription were truly a necessary service then women would be required to enlist as well….or are they not as well appointed to perform military service? See what I did there?
      -Christosterone

      • Joe

        Jul 25, 2015 at 7:12 pm

        Yes, I see what you did there; you made a dumb comment.

        • Christosterone

          Jul 25, 2015 at 10:13 pm

          How do you know I did not say it aloud?
          -Christosterone

  3. Christosterone

    Jul 23, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    other paul may not be popular but he’s not wrong either. I heard ballstrikka couldn’t play in the sandbox as a child cuz the cat would try to bury him
    -Christosterone

    • Christosterone

      Jul 25, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Why would you steal someone else’s user name?
      -Christosterone

  4. Brian K

    Jul 22, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    You are funny. lol

  5. Keith

    Jul 22, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    Wonder if he considered defecting? He’s going to give up prime earning years and it’s highly likely that his skills will erode without the time to practice and refine them. I’m sure it would be tough to turn your back on your country and heritage and never be able to return.

    • leo

      Jul 22, 2015 at 4:40 pm

      he should apply for citizenship from any country that will grant it quickly it wouldn’t be hard at all to turn your back on your country when millions of dollars are involved. golf is highly regarded in S. Korea so i think he will have plenty of opportunity to play and practice just not tournement rounds

      • Ph00ny

        Jul 23, 2015 at 8:52 am

        Not sure if that will solve anything since korea does not recognize dual citizenship last i heard. All because of some celebrity pulled a bait and switch when he said he would serve the military requirement on public tv and bailed out to US to avoid the miliatry service. This caused such an uproar that law makers made it a law to prevent people from obtaining foreign citizenship for men over 18 just to avoid military service

    • Brian K

      Jul 22, 2015 at 8:19 pm

      Don’t worry. He ll have tons of time to practice. Also He should teach Stars golf during 2 years of army service.

      • john

        Jul 22, 2015 at 9:23 pm

        a friend of mine is a professional golfer who had to return to korea for military service (not a tour player), he said you don’t get any time to practice.

  6. other paul

    Jul 22, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    He should pay someone to go for him
    Since they all look alike, shouldn’t be a problem

    • Hey Now...

      Jul 22, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      That is a pretty petty, offensive comment. I am sure your mother would be proud. Do you also have a confederate flag in the back window of your truck?

    • TimJHU

      Jul 23, 2015 at 7:44 am

      Wow, there’s no place for comments like that on this sight. You need to talk with a professional about your bigoted views and try to rejoin the real world.

    • golfiend

      Jul 23, 2015 at 1:52 pm

      The rotten apple does not fall very far from the tree

      • other paul

        Jul 23, 2015 at 4:49 pm

        I wished I knew where you lived

        • Hey Now...

          Jul 23, 2015 at 6:49 pm

          I live in Liberal, Kansas. Come and get me pal.

    • doctorjedi

      Aug 14, 2015 at 9:49 pm

      Im asian and thats funny. People need to lighten up.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

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GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

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Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
  • Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
  • Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
  • Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
  • Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
  • Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
  • Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
  • Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
  • Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

  • Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
  • Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
  • Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
  • Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
  • Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
  • Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
  • Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Ping Max G440
  • Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
  • Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
  • Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
  • Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
  • Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
  • Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
  • Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
  • Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
  • Wedges
  • Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Ping 440 LST
  • Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
  • Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
  • Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
  • Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
  • Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
  • Putter: Ping PLD Anser

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Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

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Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX

7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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