Sangmoon Bae Had To Give Up His PGA Tour Career To Serve 2 Years In The South Korean Military; Now, He's Back

This is one of the best golf stories of the year.

32-year-old Sangmoon Bae has had a crazy last three years. In late 2014, the full-time PGA Tour member’s work visa expired and, shortly thereafter, a South Korean court ruled he must return home to complete South Korea’s 21-month military requirement for men aged 18-35. He argued he was exempt because he had taken up residency in the United States, but was overruled. The 2015 Presidents Cup was his final event before reporting for duty.

This season, after two years in the military, Sangmoon returned to the PGA Tour on a special exemption. Understandably, he struggled. Prior to his military stint, Bae had two PGA Tour wins and reached as high as 26th in the official world golf rankings.

Due to his struggles, he was forced to enter the Web.com Tour finals and try to win back his PGA Tour status (and the career he was forced to abandon three years ago).

Yesterday, he birdied the final hole to win the Albertsons Boise Open by one stroke and earn back his status on the PGA Tour.

(what an absurd tee shot that is)

Here’s what Sangmoon said about the struggle of making his way back.

“I thought it would not take that long (to get my game back), but I have struggled for almost a year,” Bae said. “My game is not that much different, but maybe a little (different) mentally. (This year), it’s a little different in my mind because I feel like I’m back to being a rookie. (I’m) more humbled and more patient.”

Awesome story, love to see it.

Comeback SZN indeed.