Harper Lin
Kevin Sangwook Na is a Korean-American professional golfer. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States with his family when he was eight years old, settling in Southern California. Na took up golf at the age of nine and left high school at 17 to pursue a career in professional golf. He joined the Asian Tour and later the PGA Tour, winning five tournaments between 2011 and 2021. In June 2022, Na announced his resignation from the PGA Tour and joined the LIV Golf Invitational Series, where he was named captain of the Iron Heads GC team.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Sangwook Na |
| Place of Birth | Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Citizenship | Naturalized American citizen |
| Family | Wife: Julianne Na, Children: Sophia, Leo, and Logan |
| Education | Diamond Bar High School |
| Profession | Professional Golfer |
| Career Highlights | Five PGA Tour wins, LIV Golf veteran, Iron Heads GC captain |
| Fun Fact | Na's trademark is walking in putts, following the ball towards the hole |
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What You'll Learn
Kevin Na's early life in South Korea and California
Kevin Na, born Sangwook Na, is a Korean-American professional golfer. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States with his family when he was eight years old. His parents, Yong Na and Hye-Won Na, along with his brother, Sang-hyeon "Austin" Na, settled in Diamond Bar, Southern California.
Na has fond memories of his early years in South Korea and remains proud of his Korean heritage, including the food and music. He has stated that he feels a strong connection to both his Korean heritage and his American upbringing, considering himself a "Korean American".
In California, Na attended Diamond Bar High School but left after his junior year to pursue a career in professional golf at the age of 17. He had taken up the game of golf at the age of nine, just a year after settling in California, and his talent was quickly recognised.
Na turned professional in 2001 and soon joined the Asian Tour, competing in several tournaments across Asia and Europe. He won his first Asian Tour title at the 2002 Volvo Masters of Asia. He also played on the European Tour before joining the PGA Tour in 2004.
Na's career has been illustrious, with numerous victories and accomplishments on the PGA Tour. He has won five PGA Tour events, including the Sony Open in Hawaii in 2021 and the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas in 2011. He also won the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2019 and A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier in 2018.
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Na's career on the PGA Tour
Kevin Na was born in Seoul, South Korea, but his family moved to the United States when he was a child, and he grew up in Southern California. He took up golf at a young age and quickly showed promise, winning the Orange County Junior Golf Championship at the age of 10. Recognizing his talent, his parents supported his golfing dreams, and he turned pro shortly after his 17th birthday.
Na joined the PGA Tour in 2004 and has since established himself as a consistent and often formidable presence on the circuit. He has won at least once in every season since 2010, accumulating six PGA Tour victories to date. One of Na's most notable strengths is his accuracy, particularly with his iron play, which has seen him rank highly in the Strokes Gained: Approach the Green category.
Na's first PGA Tour win came at the 2011 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, where he birdied the second playoff hole to defeat Robert Garrigus. This victory marked a turning point in his career, as he had previously been known for his runner-up finishes, having ended up in second place five times on the PGA Tour before finally clinching his first win.
Since then, Na has gone on to win the 2018 Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, the 2019 Colonial National Invitation, the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii, and most recently, the 2023 Wyndham Championship. His victory at the Sony Open was particularly impressive, as he shot a final-round 61 to come from behind and win by two strokes. This performance set a new course record at the Waialae Country Club and earned him the distinction of shooting the lowest final round by a winner in the tournament's history.
In addition to his six PGA Tour victories, Na has also represented the United States in the Presidents Cup twice, in 2011 and 2022, contributing to the team's success in both editions. He has also finished inside the top 10 in major championships on multiple occasions, including a tie for seventh at the 2016 Masters Tournament and a solo sixth-place finish at the 2022 PGA Championship.
Throughout his career, Na has been known for his unique pre-shot routine, which includes multiple practice swings and backing away from the ball, a style that has drawn both criticism and fascination from fans and commentators alike. Despite this, his results speak for themselves, and Na continues to be a prominent figure on the PGA Tour, with his dedication and talent serving as an inspiration to golfers worldwide.
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His move to LIV Golf
Kevin Na was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States with his family when he was a young child. He grew up in Southern California and began playing golf at an early age. Na turned professional in 2001 and joined the PGA Tour in 2004. He has since established himself as a talented and experienced golfer, with multiple tournament wins to his name.
In June 2022, Na made the controversial decision to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf, a new and rival golf league backed by Saudi Arabian investment. This move generated a significant amount of attention and discussion within the golf world and beyond. The LIV Golf league has attracted criticism due to its funding from Saudi Arabia, a country that has been widely condemned for its human rights record.
Na's decision to join LIV Golf was likely influenced by several factors. One key factor is the financial incentives offered by the league. LIV Golf has lured players away from the PGA Tour by offering significant signing bonuses and large prize funds at its events. Na himself reportedly received a large sum of money to join LIV Golf, although the exact amount has not been disclosed.
Another factor in Na's decision may have been the promise of a less demanding schedule. The LIV Golf league currently offers a more limited number of events than the PGA Tour, which could appeal to golfers seeking a lighter schedule or those who wish to prioritize certain tournaments. This may have been an attractive prospect for Na, allowing him more time for rest, practice, or other pursuits.
The move to LIV Golf also provided Na with an opportunity to take on a new challenge and be part of something different. As a well-established golfer with a successful career, the chance to be involved in a new and developing golf league may have appealed to his desire for a fresh venture. LIV Golf has sought to differentiate itself with a unique format and a team-based approach, which could have been enticing for Na.
Lastly, Na's decision may also have been influenced by the opportunity to play a role in growing the game of golf globally. LIV Golf has positioned itself as a league aiming to expand the reach of the sport, with a particular focus on developing golf in new regions. As a seasoned golfer with a diverse cultural background, Na could have seen this as a chance to leave a lasting impact on the sport and perhaps inspire a new generation of golfers from a variety of backgrounds.
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Na's viral moments
Golfer Kevin Na, who is known for his partnership with caddie Kenny Harms, has experienced several viral moments throughout his career.
One of Na's most notable viral moments occurred during the 2019 Players Championship when he was paired with Tiger Woods. After eagling the par-5 16th hole, Na walked in his putt, a move he is notorious for, and arrived at the hole before the ball even dropped, leaving both players with a good laugh.
Another viral moment for Na happened at the 2011 Valero Texas Open. On the par-4 ninth hole at TPC San Antonio, Na found himself in a "spot of bother" and ended up with a score of 16. During the round, Na hit a shot that bounced off a rock and a tree before hitting him in the inner thigh. The incident was captured on video and caused quite a stir, with Na himself saying, "That would have been even funnier to see me on the ground."
In addition to these on-course moments, Na also made waves off the course with a viral video during the 2017 U.S. Open. Before the first round, Na posted a 43-second Instagram video from a practice round in which he appeared to express his dislike for the major venue. The video sparked controversy, with people questioning his attitude towards the course. However, Na later clarified that the video was taken out of context and that he was actually excited and happy to be at the venue.
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Personal life and family
Kevin Na, born in Seoul, South Korea, is a professional golfer. He moved to the United States with his family when he was eight years old and settled in southern California. His parents, Yong Na and Jung Hye-won, introduced him to golf when he was a child. Na's father was a computer engineer, and his mother was a former hairdresser. They are both South Korean citizens. Na became a naturalized American citizen at the age of 18 and currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Na turned professional in 2001 and started his pro golf career in 2001 at the age of 17. He joined the PGA Tour in 2004 and won five tournaments between 2011 and 2021. In June 2022, he resigned from the PGA Tour and joined the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Na is married to Julianne Na, and the couple has three children: Sophia, Leo, and Logan.
In addition to his golfing career, Na made a guest appearance in a January 2010 episode of "CSI: Las Vegas." He also gave his 1973 Dodge Challenger, won at the 2019 Charles Schwab Challenge, to his caddie.
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Frequently asked questions
Kevin Na is a Korean-American golfer who was born in Seoul, South Korea. He emigrated to the United States with his family when he was eight years old and settled in Southern California.
Kevin Na is a naturalized American citizen. He became an American citizen at the age of 18, choosing to give up his South Korean citizenship.
Kevin Na currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States.
