He is ranked 194th in the world, but South Korean golfer Choi Ho-sung drew big crowds Thursday for his PGA Tour debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
And it wasn’t because he was paired with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It was Choi’s golf swing that fascinated crowds during the first round of the tournament.
Choi's swing is "a cross between Chi Chi Rodriguez and Fred Astaire," The New York Times reported.
Choi, 45, a veteran of the Japan Tour who is playing at Pebble Beach on a sponsor's exemption, spins around on his follow-through as if his club is his dance partner, the newspaper reported. His pre-swing routine consists of swiveling to the left while locking his eyes on his left shoulder, the Times reported. He holds his club high and exhales loudly before addressing the ball.
Choi started slowly at Pebble Beach in his first visit to the United States, but made three birdies over the final eight holes to finish a 1-over-par 72.
“I definitely felt the love from my fans,” Choi said at his post-round news conference. “I felt like that pushed me more to focus on the back nine.”
"He's not a sideshow," Rodgers told the Times. "He can play, and I think it's really good for golf."
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