Sang-Moon Bae

Regular player on the American PGA Tour will have to stop his professional golf career in the US because he has been recruited by South Korea to serve their compulsory two-year military service.

Bae obtained US residency in 2013 and has been playing for two years, during which he has won two tournaments (Byron Nelson and Frys.com), but in February he received a fine from his home country informing him that he had violated the law by not attending 'Korean military service'. Bae, 29, handed the matter over to his lawyers and has learned this Wednesday that the Daegu court handling the case has ruled against him. "I respect the law and humbly accept the decision," said Bae, adding: "I am sorry for all my fans and for the Koreans for causing anxiety."

South Korea insists on its military service due to the tense relationship it maintains with its northern neighbor. The PGA Tour will lose one of its important players, who had his card secured until 2017. They will consider giving him an exception so that after completing his military service, he can return to the best circuit in the world to do what he does best... play golf.