Charlie Wi has taken his game to
complete new heights this year, and
his exploits have been recognised
with his selection to represent Asia
in the Royal Trophy. The Korean ace
has been in tremendous form and delivered
truly impressive results in the second
half of 2008, highlighting his star
potential with an eye-catching display
at the final Major of the year – the
PGA Championship.
That fantastic week which would turn
out to have a huge impact in Wi's
career began with the PGA Tour-based
Korean phoning his family after the
first practice round and telling them
that the Oakland Hills layout in Detroit
was the toughest course he had ever
encountered. But Wi would prove his
ability to tame the nearly impossible
eighteen holes by playing himself
into contention with three level par
70s to start the final round just
two shots off the lead.
On the final day he managed to hold
his composure, deliver 'Major quality
golf' while facing off the world's
very best players and eventually finished
in a share of ninth after a closing
74. These four rounds played under
the greatest pressure positioned Wi
as one of Asia's best assets in the
Continent's conquest to bring the
three billion people its first Major
title. Wi's four days at Oakland Hills
were perceived by the fans, the media
and the PGA Tour players as a terrific
showing of coolness, focus and ability
to produce highly efficient golf.
Wi, who has already earned over USD
1.5 million in the PGA Tour this year,
commented: "That whole week was
a wonderful experience, and I am sure
it will prove excellent preparation
for going up against some of the best
players in the world at the Royal
Trophy.
"To be in such position at a
Major is really special and it gave
me great confidence - playing at an
equal level with the very best in
the game in one of the biggest arenas
for the sport! I have learned a lot
from this year's PGA Championship.
I am sure that the next time I put
myself in contention in a Major I
will be much better equipped to mount
an even stronger challenge.
"I believe that producing great
performances like that, where you
are not only playing really good golf
but also successfully dealing with
immense pressure, helped Captain Joe
Ozaki make his mind about having me
in the Asian Team.
"There are a lot of really good
golfers in Asia now. The top Asian
players are playing all over the world
and to be one of only eight golfers
selected to represent the Continent
is great. You always wonder whether
you have done enough to justify being
selected.
"At the end of the day, the
Captain will select the players that
he believes have the best chance to
deliver the wins at the golf course
when facing a very tough European
line-up. It is a real honor to be
chosen and I will do everything I
can do reward Captain Ozaki's faith
in me."
The PGA Championship was not the
only occasion when Wi made headlines
in America recently. Providing clear
proof that on a good day he is nearly
unbeatable, on October 12 he equalled
the best round seen on the PGA Tour
this year - shooting a brilliant nine
under par 61 in the final round of
the Texas Open. That round did not
contain a single bogey, and Wi had
eventual winner Zach Johnson - the
2007 Masters champion - looking anxiously
over his shoulder at the Korean charge.
Johnson had to dig deep and make seven
birdies of his own to hold on for
a two shots victory.
Wi's share of second place in Texas
equaled his best finish on the world's
toughest golf circuit – he was also
runner-up at the U.S. Bank Championship
in Milwaukee last year - and PGA Tour
insiders say it is only a matter of
time before he lands his first victory.
Clearly one of Asia's most experienced
and well-rounded professional golfers,
Wi won nine titles on the Asian and
Japanese Tours before deciding to
play full time in America, and is
looking forward to returning to Asia
to show how much his game has improved.
He added: "I feel I have become
a truly international player over
the past decade, and that should help
me handle the pressure of representing
my Continent against what is sure
to be a strong European Team.
"The Royal Trophy has quickly
captured the imagination of the golfing
public - and a win for Asia over Europe
would be truly historic. I know from
being based in America how much the
USA's Ryder Cup victory over Europe
meant to their supporters. It would
be wonderful if our followers can
experience the same feeling and energy
in January."
"Charlie Wi is a great addition
to our Asian Team. His great performances
in the PGA Tour demonstrate that he
is well-equipped to confront the best
players under intense and high-pressure
conditions. He will be a great asset
in our efforts to keep the Royal Trophy
in Asia;" said the 35- time title
winner Joe Ozaki.
"I am very pleased with how
the foundation of our Team is developing.
Prayad Marksaeng, Liang Wen-Chong
and Charlie Wi are all outstanding
players who are capable of delivering
the highest level of golf even when
under tough team match play conditions.
They have the experience and stature
to perform soundly in the foursomes,
four-ball and singles matches and
I have full confidence in them;"
added the Japanese golfing giant.
The Royal Trophy will be staged at
the exclusive Amata Spring Country
Club in Bangkok from January 9-11.
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