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Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald |
South Korean Olympic men's golf coach Choi Kyoung-ju once wished he could have played for the country himself in Rio de Janeiro.
But after watching his two players battle through the windy conditions for four days, Choi said he's glad he didn't have to.
"Earlier in the season, I kept trying to make the team because I wanted to play in the Olympics myself," Choi told reporters at Olympic Golf Course, after An Byeong-hun and Wang Jeung-hun wrapped up their days. "There were times when I wished I were inside the ropes, but these winds would have given me so much trouble."
Choi, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, said the Olympics was also a learning experience for him.
"As a player, I only have to worry about myself and do my own things," he said. "As a coach, I lived and died by every shot. And there were some things that I think I should have paid more attention to. For both players and myself, this has been an unforgettable Olympics."
An tied for 11th at six-under 278, while Wang tied for 43rd at two-over 286. Justin Rose of Britain won the gold medal at 16-under.
Choi said he wished he'd have had more time to prepare for the Olympics. The Olympic rankings were finalized on July 11, barely a month before the start of the competition.
"The countries should be free to choose their players regardless of the rankings, and they should have more time for the selection process," Choi said. "Also, there should be a team event or a mixed team event to give the golfers more to play for."
Choi will soon return to being a player and said he will play in The Barclays, the first FedEx Cup playoff event, starting on Aug. 28. (Yonhap)
