Pro golfer Hosung Choi went viral earlier this year, winning over golf fans with his unconventional attitude and behavior on the course and his truly unorthodox swing. American golf fans are desperate to see the new star in action on the PGA Tour, so much so that they’ve created an online petition to get him a sponsor’s exemption into the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
PGA Professional Derek Deminsky, who is the director of instruction at Forty Niner Country Club, filed the petition on Change.org. In the petition, Deminsky calls Choi a “once in a generation golfer” who is “arguably the most entertaining golfer to watch.” His request is simple, he “and many others strongly feel he deserves a sponsorâs exemption into the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open”
The Phoenix Open, played every February at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona, is known for its party atmosphere. It regularly receives the highest attendance of any PGA Tour event, with hordes of beer-swilling college kids flooding the property each year.
Choi, who first caught the golf world’s attention when his wild swing surfaced this summer, backed up the hype with a victory at the Japan Golf Tour’s Casio World Open in November.
He would be a natural fit for the event, but there’s one problem. Choi has no status on the PGA Tour, and he currently stands at No. 202 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Therefore, Choi needs a sponsor’s exemption or else he, as well the golf fans in Arizona, will be out of luck.
The petition aims to get 1,500 supporters. That shouldn’t be a problem. As of this writing, 1,446 people have signed on to the note.