Sangmoon Bae plays in last U.S. PGA Tour event before military conscription
Sangmoon Bae wrapped up his PGA Tour season on Sunday with his final round at the Tour Championship, and it’s going to be the last time we see the Korean in the United States for almost two years.
Bae, who finished T-18 at East Lake, is heading home to South Korea to play on the International team in the Presidents Cup. After that, he’ll remain in his home country to start a 21-month term of conscripted military service. Bae was told in December 2014 that he did not spend enough time outside of Korea for his job in the prior year to merit continued exemption from the miitary service required of every South Korean man somewhere between the ages of 18 and 35. On multiple appeals, Bae lost. He decided to complete his service.
“Really sad. I will miss these guys and this competition. I really like this Tour, and I will be back and stay patient and be strong,” Bae said Sunday, according to Golf Channel.
Bae won the Frys.com Open in October, earning a two-year exemption with his second PGA Tour win. After learning Bae would have to serve out the 21-month period, the PGA Tour agreed to change its regulations to allow Bae to maintain his Tour status when he returns from the military. Unfortunately, since Bae won’t be playing golf, he also won’t be able to keep up his status in the Official World Golf Ranking, meaning he won’t be selected to represent South Korea in the men’s 2016 Olympic golf tournament in Rio de Janeiro.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
