Sang-Moon Bae has had an incredibly successful career and made over $5 million in just four full years on the PGA Tour. He has a sponsor, has played 11 majors and has two wins on tour. A dream profession for most.
And now it's all gone. Or at least on hold. The Associated Press noted from Canada that Bae will have to head home to South Korea to complete his mandatory military service.
Bae was denied an extension of his visa at the start of the year and challenged it in court. Yonhap news service said Bae lost his legal battle to have his mandatory service deferred. The debate was whether Bae had spent enough time out of South Korea last year.
"I completely respect the court's decision, and I humbly accept the judgment by the law," he told Yonhap. "I am sorry to those who have supported me, including all my fans and South Koreans, for causing anxiety."
So that's kind of a bummer. Not only does Bae miss out on some of his prime money-winning years (he's 29), but who knows how good his golf will be after two years of serving in the military. The PGA Tour is currently looking at potentially giving Bae an extension so his status on tour is uninterrupted by his military service in Korea.
