South Korean golfer Ho Sung Choi, renowned for his unconventional 'Fisherman swing,' has confirmed participation in the 2019 Magical Kenya Open scheduled for March 14 at Nairobi's Karen Country Club.
Choi's distinctive follow-through, which involves lifting his right foot and rotating it around his body before finishing, gained international attention through viral social media clips. The 45-year-old, ranked 205th globally, will compete on the European Tour for the first time, citing his late start in golf at age 25 after challenging life experiences.
"I can't wait to compete on the European Tour," Choi said. "My journey began through newspaper articles, and I've since won three world titles, including the Casio World Open in Japan last year. None of this would be possible without my fans' support."
Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Peter Kanyago emphasized Choi's appeal, stating his style attracts both golf enthusiasts and casual viewers. The event, upgraded to European Tour status, will also feature 2018 European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn and rising star Shubhankar Sharma.
This will be Choi's first African visit, where he aims to test his skills against top global talent. The tournament, now part of the European Tour, continues to attract international competitors following its recent elevation from the European Challenge Tour.