Bae must return to South Korea, serve two years in military
Sang-Moon Bae has two career PGA Tour wins, is in the top 30 in the FedEx Cup point standings and holds a Tour exemption through 2017. But on Wednesday, the 29-year-old South Korean suffered perhaps the biggest loss of his career.
South Korea's Yonhap news service reported Wednesday that Bae lost his appeal to extend his visa and will thus be required to serve a mandatory two-year military service with his home country.
Because South Korea remains at war with North Korea since the 1953 armistice halted fighting in the Korean War, all physically able men between 18 and 35 are required by law to serve in the military for two years.
The point of contention in Bae's appeal was whether he had spent enough time out of South Korea last year to be exempt from the service law. Bae said Wednesday he plans to play the rest of the PGA Tour season before serving.
"I completely respect the court's decision, and I humbly accept the judgment by the law," he told Yonhap. "I am sorry to those who have supported me, including all my fans and South Koreans, for causing anxiety."
Bae won the season-opening Frys.com Open last October and was hopeful that victory would help him make the Presidents Cup team because the matches will be played this year for the first time in South Korea. Bae is No. 23 in those standings; only the top 10 qualify.
"My plan is to play as much as I can the rest of this season the PGA Tour and into the FedEx Cup playoffs before reporting for my military duty in South Korea," Bae said from the Canadian Open, where he is playing this week.
Bae is No. 29 in the FedEx Cup and already has earned just over $2 million this season.
By winning the Frys.com Open, Bae is exempt on the PGA Tour through the 2016-17 season, though he will be in the military for most of it.
Earlier this year, the PGA Tour board preliminary approved an amendment to tournament regulations so that "mandatary obligation" is considered with its provision on major medical issues and a family crisis. The board is scheduled to ratify the amendment at its meeting next week.
That would give Commissioner Tim Finchem discretion to grant an extension on Bae's eligibility on the PGA Tour.
