"Oh, I'm just a water snake now."
Choi Kwang-soo was a face of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) from the 1990s through the mid-2000s. Nicknamed "the Viper" for his fierce competitive drive, Choi helped lead the golden age of Korean men's golf alongside Park Nam-sin, known as "the Iron Wizard," and Kang Wook-soon, called "the Gentleman of the Fairway." He earned 15 wins on the regular tour and 13 wins on the Champions Tour, the stage for seniors aged 50 and over.
At Solago Country Club in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, on the opening day of the KPGA Champions Tour Grand Senior Championship on Sunday, the old intensity was nowhere to be found in Choi's eyes. "These days I take it easy and play golf for enjoyment," he said.
When his nickname "the Viper" came up, Choi began by explaining its origin. "My nickname was originally 'the Man of Records.' I started making a name for myself by breaking many of senior Choi Sang-ho's records. I liked Gary Player, who had a build similar to mine, and he often wore black. I used to compete in all black too. At one tournament, I was coming up from a bunker in front of the green after a shot, and a reporter who saw it said it looked like a viper slithering up. That's when I became the Viper."
As the years passed, Choi's venom vanished, but his pride remained. "I conquered the national title, the Korea Open, but seniors Park Nam-sin and Kang Wook-soon never won it. Even now, among the many glories of my golf career, winning the Korea Open remains the most memorable."
The Korea Open that Choi spoke of proudly was the 2005 event. That year, he barely made the cut in the second round, then shot 7-under in the third round and cut two more strokes on the final day before winning in a playoff. He was 45 at the time.
Choi, whose health once faltered, has now recovered and says he plays two or three rounds a week with acquaintances as exercise. "I sometimes hike and go to the gym, aiming to keep my body just as it is. At our age, it's not about getting better but about maintaining your current condition."
Choi carded an even-par 72 on the day, with two birdies and two bogeys. He is two strokes behind co-leaders Park Nam-sin, Shin Yong-jin and others. Choi had been at 2-over before finally grabbing two birdies over the final three holes. The Viper's tenacity was still alive.
