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Bae Sang-moon faces conscription after 6th place finish

January 12, 2015

Patrick Reed rallies to win Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Noh Seung-yul ties for 11th.

Sang-Moon Bae, of South Korea, waves to the gallery on the first tee during the final round of the Tournament of Champions golf tournament Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

By Brian Han

After making his final putt on Kapalua’s Plantation Course at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions Monday, Bae Sang-moon will have to face a grim reality that doesn’t include pristine ocean views or warm Hawaiian winds.

Instead, his focus must now go to his expired traveling permit, which legally forces him to return to his native South Korea by the end of January.

Furthermore, he has been called for conscription, or mandatory military service, for two years.

The 28-year-old golfer played well and had a legitimate shot at winning the tournament, but his so-so play resulting in a 3-under 70 during the final round diminished his chances.

Mental strength is a critical component for success at the professional level, and Bae’s worries may have contributed to his performance.

“A little bit hard to focus on my game because I got [into] a little trouble,” said Bae of his travel permit controversy to the Associated Press.

Considering his unique situation, he earned an impressive sixth place finish among one of professional golf’s strongest fields.

It may be that his placement in the top-10 will help his case when convincing South Korean officials to grant him a new traveling permit.

Another South Korean golfer also played consistently this week.

Noh Seung-yul shot 71, 70, 69, 68 to finish at 14-under and came in tied-for-11th in a field of 34 players – all of whom won at least one PGA event in the 2014 season.

Four shots behind with four holes to play, Patrick Reed made two birdies and holed out from 80 yards for an eagle to force an unlikely playoff. Then the 24-year-old American finished off a miraculous rally by sinking an 18-foot birdie putt to beat Jimmy Walker to take his fourth career PGA Tour victory.

Other notables include Australian Jason Day who shot an 11-under 62 to tie for third place.