Y.E. Yang: Who Is the PGA Champ?

As you now know, Y.E. Yang is the 2009 PGA champion after taking out Tiger Woods at the final major of the year in absolutely heroic fashion. The problem is, the everyday sports fan doesn't even know who this Yang guy is. So, here are some things you should know about your new major champion.

• Yang is a 37-year-old South Korean native with three kids.

• He has been a professional golfer since 1996, winning seven times on the European, Asian, Japanese, Korean and now PGA Tour. His non-major breakthrough came at the 2006 HSBC, when Yang beat out a field that included Tiger, who tied for second, two strokes behind Yang.

• Earlier this season, Yang became a PGA Tour champion, with his win at the Honda Classic. Four rounds of par or better was good for a one-stroke victory over John Rollins.

• A friend suggested at 19 that Yang take up golf, so he started going to a local driving range in Korea.

• Spent required time in the South Korean military beginning at age 21, guarding Naval ports.

• Decided he was decent enough at golf to try and make a career out of it, so he headed to New Zealand to try it out.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-17-2009 @ 12:23AM

cato1903 said...

Tiger did not choke, he was not scared and his strategy was good. He never plays for second place. He led the tournament until the back nine, soooooooo his playing couldn't have been too bad. He couldn't putt---it happens even to him. What we expect is for him to dig deep and win. This is not the first time nor will it be the last time he loses a tournament. He has had an amazing come back from knee surgery and the adjustments he had to make as a result. He may not have won a major this year but he has had an extrodinary return to golf. Thank goodness he's back and in such good form.

8-17-2009 @ 2:19AM

tekprincess00 said...

Whatever cato1903 Tiger is just resting on his laurels. He didn't play like an aggressive champion should. This is just a wake up call for Tiger who takes too many things for granted like winning. You can't just sit on talent and don't work harder and harder to maintain and improve as a champion. Just give the Asian guy his due respect, he visualized, studied Tiger's weaknesses and went in agressively for the win. I now call him TOO SAFE TIGER.

8-17-2009 @ 7:44AM

ronminami said...

For people to think that Tiger is going to win every tournament or every major championship even if he is in the lead starting the final day is utterly preposterous. He is without doubt the best player of our generation and probably the greatest of all time, but he is human and he plays against other great golfers. This is no different then the greatest race horses, they don't always win and this doesn't take away from their greatness. Congratulations Tiger on coming in second.

8-17-2009 @ 9:05AM

furrsher said...

Going back last 12 years and next 7 years the PGA Championship will not, I repeat WILL NOT be played West of The Mississippi. The Ivy League elites who run the PGA and USGA just cannot stand leaving the ALL IMPORTANT EAST. The majors should be rotated by region, but oh no, the Eastern Elitists could not stand to be that far away from their Ivory Towers.

8-17-2009 @ 10:29AM

kfoley7777 said...

furrsher - Is it Eastern elitists or TV? I'll bet TV. The PGA has always been the least of the majors, and the urge to maximize viewership plays a part.

8-17-2009 @ 10:37AM

dmmaze6 said...

It's good to get some new blood into this game. What is it about these players of Asian descent? They are mopping up in the women's WPGA.

8-17-2009 @ 11:44AM

wylielakesider said...

What kind of "Sport" is hitting a little white ball and then running and hitting it again and again anyway? You loosers should get a boat.Now thats REAL exitement.loosers!

8-17-2009 @ 2:43PM

gushowie said...

Does anyone know where I can get a headcover like the one Y.E. Yang had (it looked just like him)?

8-17-2009 @ 4:04PM

GolferBuzz said...

I can't help but smile and laugh at comments such as "wylielakesider" What a idiot! He probably has a gigantic beer gut and wow...such talent it takes to turn the steering wheel on a boat! What a loser! He probably failed his GED.