Golfer Choi Ho-sung, whose signature "fisherman's swing" has seen him grab the spotlight of the golfing world, has been invited to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Arm on the PGA Tour next month.
"I never imagined this day would come," Choi said on Sunday. "I took up golf at the age of 25, after a hard life. I'm fully aware that none of this would be possible without the love and support of my fans. I will of course do my best, wherever I go."
Ranked 198th in the world, and without a card to play on the PGA, he received a sponsor's exemption to take part in the event.
Choi's unique gestures and swing made him a social media sensation last year. The invitation to Choi is in keeping with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am's long history of popularizing the sport.
Since it was established in 1937, the event has helped golf reach a wider audience by inviting celebrities and stars from other sports to play together with professional golfers.
Professional and amateur golfers are teamed up and play on three different courses over three days -- Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club. On the final day, professional golfers compete at Pebble Beach to determine the winner. The total prize money is US$7.4 million, with the winner taking home $1.332 million.
Choi currently plays on the Japan Golf Tour. Early this month, PGA instructor Derek Deminsky launched a petition to get Choi invited to the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open, which kicks off on Jan. 31.
