K.J. Choi makes adjustments as age creeps up

K.J. Choi is starting to feel his age.

South Korea’s most famous male golfer turns 45 on Tuesday, and he’s had to adjust his game as his body slows down.

Choi carded a 4-under 68 on Thursday to finish the first round in a tie for 10th place, but it took him awhile to get started.

“That’s why starting today, the first four holes I’m not ready,” Choi said Thursday at the Wells Fargo Championship. “The distance was very short. And (playing partners James Hahn and Charl Schwartzel) are 50 and 70-yard difference. Then I’ll catch-up with the body and more warmup and continue play.

“On the back nine I’m playing catch-up and I’m 15-20 yards (behind). So I almost finish and it’s the same distance. A little warmup takes longer than at a young age.”

Indeed, Choi was 1 over through four holes with a bogey on the par-4 third. It’d be his round’s only blemish, though.

He birdied the next two par-5s along with the par-4 eighth to close the front nine at 2 under. Choi then had back-to-back birdies on No. 13 and 14 to notch one of the best rounds of the day.

While he wasn’t impressive in terms of length off the tee, Choi was 100 percent on driving accuracy and hit every green in regulation.

Thursday’s round was the best round Choi has had in six tournaments at Quail Hollow Club. His previous best was 69, and he had never before broken 70 in the opening round.

“Usually I’m a couple under par and the next day couple over par and then it’s tied for 60,” Choi joked.

His best finish came in 2007 with a tie for 24th, and he’s missed the cut the previous two times he’s been in Charlotte, in 2009 and 2014.

But Choi’s a glutton for punishment. Plus, he says the people in the galleries are very supportive of him, and the pine trees remind him of his hometown in South Korea.

Turning pro in 1994, Choi joined the tour in 2000 and has won eight PGA Tour tournaments on his way to becoming one of the most successful Asian golfers in PGA history.

In 2008, Choi was ranked as high as fifth in the world after three wins in the previous year.

But he hasn’t gotten a win since his biggest one – the 2011 Players Championship when he beat David Toms in a playoff.

Choi only has six top-10s since 2012 and none this year. In 2015 he’s played in 12 tournaments, made two top-25s and missed the cut three times. If he has to put his finger on it, it’s the age.

“The first two rounds are good, and then moving day is the back way for me,” Choi said. “I think a little body change in the function flexibility and the swing change. As I get older I feel a difference in the core and I come out earlier and it’s a bad shot. Then the chipping and bunker shots aren’t working.”

So, is Choi excited about celebrating his 45th birthday in a few days?

“Uh,” Choi says as he feigns long thinking, “no.”

This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 9:45 PM with the headline "K.J. Choi makes adjustments as age creeps up."