| Trevor Immelman (right), general manager of the international team participating in the 2022 Presidents Cup, celebrates with a birdie putt during the four-ball match on day 3 held at the Quail Halo Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA on the 25th (Korea time) of last month Kim Joo-hyung hugs and smiles brightly. Behind them, Im Seong-jae, Kim Si-woo, and Lee Kyung-hoon are cheering. AP News |
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The 2022 Presidents Cup ended with a victory for the United States. The United States, which is the youngest player in history, has maintained its objective ability despite sluggishness, with Scotty Schaeffler, the player of the world No. Starting in 2005, it’s a staggering 9 consecutive victories. The record is 12 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, leading the United States.
Although the international team lost, Seongjae Lim, Joohyung Kim, Kyunghoon Lee, and Siwoo Kim showed impressive performances, raising expectations for the 2022-2023 season. In particular, the youngest Kim Joo-hyung made a strong impression as the clear future of the PGA Tour by winning four balls and four balls on the third day and revitalizing the lost international team. The scene where Joo-hyung Kim and Si-woo Kim were happily running on the green after managing to birdie about 3m on the 18th hole of the four-ball match against Patrick Cantlay-Zander Shopley (above USA) is a sight in Korea and around the world. It received a lot of attention from fans.
The American media Golf.com paid attention to the action of the leader of the international team Immelman, who missed a lot in this scene. After putting the ball, Kim Joo-hyung put the putter down on the green and threw his hat in the air as the ball rolled right into the hole, cheering loudly. An act that was faithful to all his feelings. Everyone in the international team cheered and applauded Kim Joo-hyung.
Golf.com described what happened after this happened. Golf.com said, “Kim Joo-hyung left the green for an interview with a TV crew and responded to a fan’s request for an autograph. Joo Skovron, Kim Joo-hyung’s caddy, also met with reporters to talk. Director Immelman returned to the green on the 18th hole where the spectators left and began repairing the green damaged by Kim Joo-hyung’s dramatic birdie putt and the ceremony.”
After a golf tournament as well as a regular golfer’s round, a course manager employed by the golf course repairs damaged fairways and greens. However, General Immelman healed the wounds left by the players, including Kim Joo-hyung, which gave him the precious joy of victory. With 12 games remaining on the final day of the tournament, perhaps the intention is to ensure that the players can play on the course in slightly better condition.
However, Golf.com interpreted Immelman’s actions as a pure heart for golf. Golf.com evaluates that “Leader Immelman is a suitable person not only for his team, but also for the way he represents the game of golf” once it is announced to the public.
Even in a situation where it was impossible for outstanding players like Cameron Smith (Australia) to join due to the launch of the LIV Golf Invitational, General Manager Immelman performed his role without complaint. Then he played proudly and admitted that he had been defeated. From before the President’s Cup until the moment of the final competition, General Immelman did his best to encourage and support the players, visible and invisible. That is the reason why the players of the international team could enjoy the President’s Cup 2022 until the end even if they did not win.
Reporter Oh Hae-win ohwwho@munhwa.com
