Golf Star Bae Charged

Bae Sang-moon, an up-and-coming South Korean golfer who plays on the US PGA Tour, has been charged with violating his country's military service regulations.

This after failing to return home and report for duty when his overseas travel permit expired, the Korean media reported this week.

A two-time winner on the US Tour and with victories on the Asian, Japan and One Asia Tours, Bae made his PGA Tour debut in 2012 and was granted US residency two years ago.

The 28-year-old, who is strongly placed to represent South Korea in golf at the next summer Olympic Games, had sought legal advice after his country's Military Manpower Administration (MMA) rejected his request for an extension to his overseas travel permit.

In some cases leading South Korean sports stars have been given time off from their military duties to prepare themselves for Olympic Games events.

With the two Koreas still technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, all South Korean men between 18 and 35 must complete two years of military service.

The MMA's regional office in Bae's hometown of Daegu had filed the charge against him, the Yonhap News Agency said on Monday, adding that his extension was rejected because he had spent too much time in South Korea last year to be considered an overseas resident.

Possibly stressed by his difficulty with the MMA, Bae missed the cut at the Phoenix Open in Arizona at the weekend.

For any feedback or ideas you are welcome to email: neville@golfweather.com.