Posted on 08/28/2009 9:41:20 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
PGA Champ Yang Pledges Round of Golf With Bush
AUGUST 28, 2009 03:40
Y.E. Yang, the first Asian-born golfer to win a major PGA title, said yesterday that he promised to play a round of golf with former U.S. President George W. Bush.
Yang was speaking to a news conference at the Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, just a day before the FedEx Cup playoff opener at The Barclays.
He said that when he went to Carlsbad in Southern California to visit the headquarters of his sponsor TaylorMade last week, he met Bush and chatted with him for 30 minutes.
Yang said Bush talked of his relationship with Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his visit to Jeju Island, Yang’s hometown, to make a speech.
“We sort of promised to play a round of golf when our schedules were OK,” Yang said. “And I told him that I’d be willing to skip a tournament or two if he were willing to play golf with me. So I’m looking forward to that as well.”
Bush and Yang both recently moved to Dallas.
On how he maintained his composure while playing against Tiger Woods for the PGA Championship, Yang said, “I played the game thinking that I’d swing my shots because I had nothing to lose even if Woods beat me. If I face Woods again (at The Barclays), I’ll stay cool and just do my best in shooting.”
The hour-long news conference was conducted half in Korean and half in English, with some 50 reporters both Korean and non-Korean attending.
As Yang walked off to a driving range for training, 30 to 40 fans asked him for his autograph, showing his meteoric rise to stardom. American fans also cheered for him, calling him a “nice champion” and asking him to beat Woods again.
While Yang was signing autographs, Angel Cabrera of Argentina, who won this year’s Master’s, came to shake the Korean’s hand and congratulate him for winning a major.
Padraig Harrington told Korean journalists that Yang is good enough to beat Woods.
Fellow Korean golfer Charlie Wi said, “Yang has excellent mind control. His victory in a major championship made me confident, too.”
The following are excerpts from Yang’s news conference.
Question: How have things changed since you won the PGA Championship?
Yang: I was sorry that so few Korean journalists showed interest in me even as I competed in majors. I’ve now received a rush of interview requests. Before the victory, more than half of the American fans I met asked for my autograph but thought I was K.J. Choi. Now they call me Yang. American players have also recognized and congratulated me on the championship.
Question: What does the taegeukgi (Korean national flag) on your bag mean?
Yang: As PGA events are broadcast in dozens of countries around the world, I thought the flag could encourage Koreans living overseas while letting non-Koreans know about our national flag.
Question: How did you play against Tiger Woods with composure?
Yang: I’ve always tried to do my best in shooting with a comfortable mind. There is a saying that goes that it’s not over until you take off your gloves after the 18th hole. I just played and thought I’d play a game I wouldn’t regret afterwards even if I lost.
Question: When did you decide to compete in the President’s Cup?
Yang: Greg Norman called me to congratulate me a few days after the championship was over, asking me to participate in the Presidents Cup. I will try to play for the team since it’s the first Presidents Cup I’ll play in.”
Question: Is it true that you will attend Korea University in Seoul?
Yang: I’ve always wanted to go to university. I am seeking admission from Korea University.
Question: Do you feel uncomfortable about being unable to speak English?
Yang: I can communicate with my caddie on the green. I don’t speak good English but that doesn’t make me uncomfortable. I have no plan to take English lessons. I’m a professional golfer. Wouldn’t be better if I use my time to practice golf more?
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/tigerwoods_blogPS-0594.jpg
Obama’s pal and all smiles.
Meanwhile in the other picture he is scowling at RINO Poppy Bush.
LOL!
CAPTION: “What a joker! Now get me my wedge caddie.”
Boy is that Liberty National playing tough right now. And they can’t blame the weather on it....
Nice 68 from Y.E. to finish -2. And Stewart is at -1 and has his neck in this still. If the leaders who aren’t doing anything much now back up a little then things could be fun tomorrow....
The other guy is a pal of Obama’s
??????? Sorry, but what are you talking about? Do you hate Tiger? Just come out and say so. You can try to portray him as a Liberal all you want, but he's a nice guy who handles celebrity like the champion that he is.
The little troll that keeps referring to Tioger ads a pal of Stupid still doesn’t get it......
and never will either.....
psst....It’s the other one who thinks Tiger is a fan of Obama(I refer to O as Stupid in threads)only because he spoke at the pre-inaugruation event at the Jefferson memorial.
It was entirely a pro-military speech and he didn’t refer to zero by name, ONCE!!!!
*pic of Bush behind the counter.*
Way to go for the shop owner
Bush was in San Diego the other week to get outfitted
with new clubs.
On the other side, Clinton was in San Diego the other day playing golf before he spoke at a convention here.
I like your “psst”!
RE: post 27. Meant for Frantzie
If I’m ever in L.A., I would have to stop by for sure!!!
I Love SD. Going back to the HUGE poster of Bush, it’s really...really hard NOT to notice it.:)
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