Nayeon Choi | Pro Golfer
In 2010, Choi Na-Yeon burst onto the scene with victories at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic and Hana Bank Kolon Championship, rising to the top of the LPGA Tour like a comet.
With an illustrious career marked by an LPGA Player of the Year title, the Bear Trophy, nine career wins, and a major championship at the U.S. Women’s Open, she left an indelible legacy in the world of women’s golf.
Now, let’s take a closer look at her ongoing journey, both in her career and in the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
1. You are considered a leading figure in the golden era of Korean women’s golf on the LPGA Tour. What do you think were the key factors that helped you become a top-tier golfer?
It might sound like a cliché, but I truly loved golf and worked extremely hard at it. There are times when things go well and times when they don’t, and the fact that you can’t always perform perfectly is something that reminds me of life itself. That’s the charm of golf. As I kept pushing forward, focusing only on the path ahead, there came a time when what I loved became what I was good at. Looking back after retirement, I realize that the driving force behind my achievements was ‘consistency.’ From putting practice to hitting 1,000 balls a day, I practiced relentlessly from a young age. I firmly believe in the saying that “hard work beats talent.” I think I proved that myself.
2. You’ve recorded 15 career wins across global tours. Among them, which tournament stands out the most in your memory?
It has to be the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open victory, which I achieved after 14 years of pursuing my dream. It was my first major championship win. After watching Se-ri Pak’s U.S. Open win in 1998, I made the decision to become a professional golfer. Standing at the same course where Se-ri Pak had won and receiving the trophy myself was beyond surreal. It felt like a dream to reach the same position as my idol, and that moment is still vivid in my memory.
3. Your swing has been praised as “textbook perfect,” and you were even voted No. 1 for swing excellence by LPGA Tour professionals. What is the secret to your “textbook swing”?
I’m the type of person who needs to understand something with my mind before executing it in action, so I spent a lot of time studying and practicing my swing. I always believed in the importance of fundamentals, and I made sure to focus on those to achieve consistent results. Even after retirement, I still continue to practice regularly to improve myself. I believe that once you learn something, you should never forget it. The speed at which you learn and the speed at which you lose what you’ve learned don’t go hand in hand. (Laughs) That’s why I continue to maintain a professional approach to my game.
4. Since retiring from the LPGA Tour after the BMW Ladies Championship, you’ve been showcasing a different charm on YouTube. What inspired you to start this new chapter?
At first, I was upset at the thought of gradually disappearing from the memories of golf fans. Starting my YouTube channel wasn’t initially for any grand purpose, but more about wanting to live for myself again. Now, it feels like I’m living my second life. The golf lessons I began, with the worry that my past struggles might seem like too much of a burden for those just starting out in golf, have now become a valuable milestone in keeping the culture of golf alive. I’m happy that my channel is contributing to that cause. Through my platform, I want to show that behind the glamorous lives of athletes, there is a tremendous amount of hard work. Golf is a sport with a long, solitary battle against oneself, and I wanted to offer guidance as a senior or even as a peer. I’m truly grateful for all the love and interest I’ve received.
5. You chose Crown Goose for your bedding to ensure a perfect rest. What did you like most about it?
During my professional career, I spent a lot of time in hotels, both domestically and abroad. There were times when I stayed in hotels more than I stayed at home. Back then, I didn’t realize how much I had become accustomed to hotel bedding. But after retiring, I missed it while trying to sleep at home. As the weather grew colder, I found myself thinking about winter bedding, and I became interested in goose down duvets. That’s when I discovered Crown Goose and visited their store. I noticed that many famous national athletes and former athletes used it, which made me feel confident in my decision. As athletes, rest is crucial, and Crown Goose proved to be the perfect brand for fulfilling that need. Its commitment to “true rest” is reflected in its excellent products and solid construction, and I’ve been enjoying deep, satisfying sleep ever since.
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