Opinion

PGA Championship: K.H. Lee’s hunger for success nourished by family restaurant

South Korean ready for the year’s second major after his second PGA Tour victory in Texas last weekend

His mother, who ran the business, and father, who accompanied Lee to tournaments, have helped drive his ambitions

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K.H. Lee poses with the trophy after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson in Texas. Photo: Getty Images

Chuah Choo Chiang is senior director, marketing and communications, Apac for the PGA Tour, and is based in Kuala Lumpur.

Published: 8:30am, 18 May 2022

It was only when K.H. Lee was making strides as a golf professional that he learned how much hardship his mother endured to help him get there.

Lee’s parents ran a restaurant in Seoul and had been putting aside money for years to fund his passion. His mother Hea Won-hong had even taken to sleeping alone in the eaterie because it was such a long journey home.

She took care of the family business primarily on her own while Lee’s father Sang-moo took on the role of driver, chaperon and confidant for the teenaged hopeful Kyoung-hoon.

Their efforts are paying off. On Sunday, Lee successfully defended his AT&T Byron Nelson title at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas to earn his second PGA Tour victory.

K.H. Lee with his family at the Masters in Augusta. Photo: Handout

It was just the preparation the 30-year-old wanted for the PGA Championship, the year’s second major, which starts on Thursday.