*This content was translated by AI.
Ahn Byung-hoon (35), who played in the PGA Tour, will continue his new career in LIV Golf sponsored by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. He will be joined by reliable teammates Song Young-han (35), Kim Min-kyu (25), and Korean-born player Danny Lee (36, New Zealand).
"The most important thing is to play golf," Ahn Byung-hoon said at a press conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the 2nd (Korea time), adding, "I've known my colleagues for a long time, so I didn't feel awkward. So even though it's my first week and my rookie season, I feel very comfortable," he said.
LIV Golf, which was launched in 2022, features individual and team events, and Ahn Byung-hoon will join the Korean golf club captain from the 2026 season and share the same rice with Song Young-han, Kim Min-kyu and Korean-American player Danny Lee.
They are already close to each other. Ahn Byung-hoon said, "I travel a lot together as a team and spend a lot of time together. It would be very difficult if you were with people who didn't like each other, but fortunately, we are not."
Ahn Byung-hoon also has experience working with teammates as a team at the Presidents Cup. "Golf, which is an individual sport, usually moves and prepares alone, but in the Presidents Cup or LIV Golf, I spend more time moving and eating with my team members," he said. "Those experiences will be of great help in the league because it's an individual game and you have to play for the team, and the daily score is reflected in the team's performance."
There is no weight of the captain. "I want to create a relaxed and relaxed atmosphere. A pleasant and comfortable atmosphere is more important than excessive pressure. In particular, Danny is a player who saves the team's atmosphere. The goal is to maintain a comfortable and good atmosphere throughout the season like in the training camp, he said.
There will also be an opportunity to greet many Korean fans. LIV Golf first hosted the Korea tournament in Incheon in May last year, and the Korean tournament is expected to be held again this season. Ahn Byung-hoon said, "It means a lot to hold a competition in Korea. In terms of the size of the current golf market, it is the third largest in the world. It is a country that really loves golf regardless of generation. I heard that last year's Korean competition was very successful," he said.
Unlike the PGA Tour, which is mainly held in the United States, LIV Golf is scheduled to travel around the world. It is also a new experience and challenge for Ahn Byung-hoon. "I have to travel between different countries and time zones, but I like to travel. When I was young, I had this experience while playing DP World Tour and Challenge Tour. Of course, it's physically more burdensome than before, but I'll be able to enjoy it enough," he said with confidence.
He said, "Moving and jet lag are the key. Ahn Byung-hoon, who said, "You have to take good care of your body for good performance," said about the secret to taking care of your physical strength, "I use ChatGPT and Gemini. Make a sleep and condition management plan by entering flight schedule, game time, etc. In particular, it helps to optimize the body according to the 6:05 p.m. game schedule like this week. We will actively use these tools with the team's physio," he said.
To Saudi golf fans, he said, "You can expect great golf. "It's my first time in Saudi Arabia, and everything has been great so far," he said. "I think night golf in particular is the biggest attraction of the tournament. It has a special atmosphere like an F1 night race, and I'm really looking forward to playing in front of fans," he said.
The 2026 LIV Golf season will kick off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 4th. The game method has been expanded from 54 holes to 72 holes, and 52 wild card players from 13 teams and five wild card players will participate in both individual and team events.
The opening game is expected to act as a big variable as it will be held as "Shot Gun Night Golf," which starts at 6:05 p.m. local time on the 4th at the same time at a set hole.
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*This content was translated by AI.
