Sangmoon Bae Returns to Professional Golf after Military Service

Many golfers are forced to take a long hiatus from the game for a variety of reasons, whether it be injury related or personal. Sangmoon Bae, however, had no choice when he took some time away from golf.

Bae, a popular golfer from South Korea who has had some success at the PGA TOUR level, was forced to leave the game after the 2015 President’s Cup, where he represented the International Team in his home country. Bae didn’t leave because of an injury or a family matter, rather he was required to by his home country of South Korea.

Because of the tensions between North Korea and South Korea, the latter country requires that all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 35 serve two years in the country’s military. Bae decided to take that required two years after the President’s Cup and served as a rifleman since then. His service is now over, however, and he is ready to return to golf.

Sang-Moon Bae of the International Team watches his tee shot on the…

Sang-Moon Bae of the International Team watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during the Sunday singles matches at The Presidents Cup at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea on October 11, 2015 in Songdo… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

And Bae couldn’t be more excited to step back onto the TOUR. “I remembered vividly my first time hitting the golf ball again after about five or six months in the army,” Bae said, “every minute was so precious and I really treasured each time when I was out on the golf course or at the driving range. I’m very happy to be back.”

There’s no reason to think that Bae won’t be able to succeed at golf’s highest level. He is still only 31 years old and is a three-time winner on the Asian Tour as well as a two-time champion on the PGA TOUR, most recently winning the Frys.com Open in October of 2014. So despite the long layoff, Bae still has the ability to come back and compete right away with the finest in golf.

Bae will officially return to organized golf Donghae Open this Thursday in his native South Korea. If he performs well, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back on the PGA TOUR to begin the 2018 campaign.

Cover Photo via YouTube