Miles Bennett
Kevin Sangwook Na is a professional golfer. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States at the age of eight, settling in Southern California. He turned professional in 2001 and has since played on several major tours, including the Asian Tour, European Tour, and PGA Tour. In June 2022, he announced his resignation from the PGA Tour and joined the LIV Golf League. He is a naturalized American citizen and currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Sangwook Na |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Nationality | Korean-American |
| Date of Birth | 15 September 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Family | Wife: Julianne Na; Children: Sophia, Leo, and Logan |
| Education | Diamond Bar High School |
| Turned Professional | 2001 |
| Tours | Asian Tour, European Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf League |
| Total PGA Tour Wins | 5 |
| Notable Moments | Worst par-4 hole on the PGA Tour (2011 Valero Texas Open), Viral moment at 2019 Players Championship |
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What You'll Learn
Golfer Kevin Na's early life
Kevin Sangwook Na (Korean: 나상욱) is a Korean-American professional golfer born in Seoul, South Korea, on September 15, 1983. At the age of eight, he emigrated with his family to the United States, settling in Southern California.
Na took up golf at the age of nine. He attended Diamond Bar High School in California but left after his junior year at the age of 17 to pursue a career in professional golf. Na turned pro in 2001 and joined the Asian Tour for his first few seasons, also featuring on the European Tour. He won the 2002 Volvo Masters of Asia and finished fourth at the Honda Classic in 2005.
In 2004, Na got his PGA Tour card. He finished third at the Southern Farm Bureau Classic in 2004 and second at the FBR Open and Chrysler Classic of Tucson in 2005. However, he missed most of 2006 due to a hand injury. He made a successful comeback in 2006, winning the Mark Christopher Charity Classic on the Nationwide Tour.
Na became a naturalized American citizen at the age of 18. He has said that his mother is an American citizen, and when he turned 18, he had the choice of becoming an American or staying a Korean citizen. He chose to become an American citizen and filled out the necessary paperwork.
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Na's career in the PGA Tour
Kevin Sangwook Na is a Korean-American professional golfer born in Seoul, South Korea, on September 15, 1983. He moved to the United States at the age of eight, settling with his family in Southern California. Na left high school at the age of 17 to pursue a career in professional golf. He turned professional in 2001 and joined the Asian Tour, also featuring on the European Tour.
Na got his PGA Tour card for the 2004 season. In 2005, he finished second at the FBR Open and Chrysler Classic of Tucson. However, in 2006, he suffered a hand injury that kept him out for six months. He made a successful return at the Mark Christopher Charity Classic on the Nationwide Tour, winning the tournament.
In 2007, Na played on the PGA Tour via a medical extension, finishing fourth at the Verizon Heritage. He continued his good form into 2008, with a fourth-place finish at the FBR Open and Sony Open in Hawaii. The following year, he improved on this performance, finishing third at the FBR Open and the Players Championship, as well as fifth at the Sony Open in Hawaii. With nine top-10 finishes and 14 top-25 finishes in 2009, he ranked 19th on the money list, securing his entry to the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open in 2010.
In 2010, Na continued his impressive run, finishing second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and third at the BMW Championship. In 2011, he had a memorable year, achieving his first PGA Tour victory at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. However, he also experienced a low point, playing the worst-ever par-4 hole on the PGA Tour at the Valero Texas Open, making a 16 on the ninth hole. Despite this setback, he finished the year strongly, placing tenth at the PGA Championship.
Na went on to win four more PGA Tour events, with his most recent victory coming at the Sony Open in Hawaii in 2021. In total, he played in 458 events during his 19 years on the PGA Tour. In June 2022, Na announced his resignation from the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf League, where he was appointed captain of Iron Heads GC.
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Na's move to the LIV Golf League
Kevin Sangwook Na, born in Seoul, South Korea, is a Korean-American professional golfer. He moved to Southern California with his family when he was eight years old and became a naturalized American citizen at the age of 18.
Na turned professional in 2001 and joined the Asian Tour, also featuring on the European Tour. He won his first PGA Tour victory in 2011 at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, and his most recent PGA Tour win was at the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii. In total, he has had five PGA Tour victories.
In June 2022, Na announced his resignation from the PGA Tour and confirmed that he would be joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series, now known as the LIV Golf League. He was immediately installed as the captain of Iron Heads GC and became one of the 12 original team leaders to tee off at LIV Golf London. Na has cited his desire to focus on his golf career and the opportunity to play in different conditions as reasons for his move to the LIV Golf League. He also mentioned the financial aspect, with the LIV Golf League offering substantial prize money and purses.
Since joining the LIV Golf League, Na has finished 36th in 2022, 30th in 2023, and 33rd in 2024. While some have criticized his decision to leave the PGA Tour, Na has found success and a new challenge in the LIV Golf League.
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Na's personal life
I found two golfers by the name of Na: Kevin Na and Choi Na-yeon. I have detailed their personal lives below.
Kevin Na's Personal Life
Kevin Sangwook Na, born on September 15, 1983, in Seoul, South Korea, is a Korean-American golfer. He emigrated with his family to the United States when he was eight years old, settling in southern California. He took up golf at the age of nine. Na left Diamond Bar High School at the age of 17 to pursue a career in professional golf. He became an American citizen at the age of 18.
Na has been married to Julianne Na, and the couple has three children: Sophia, Leo, and Logan. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Choi Na-Yeon's Personal Life
Choi Na-Yeon, born on October 28, 1987, is a South Korean professional golfer playing on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour. She turned professional in November 2004, shortly after winning the ADT CAPS Invitational on the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA) at the age of 17. Choi won at least one KLPGA Tour event each year from 2004 to 2007.
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Na's most memorable golfing moments
Kevin Sangwook Na is a Korean-American professional golfer born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in California. He has had a long and successful career, winning five tournaments on the PGA Tour between 2011 and 2021. Here are some of his most memorable golfing moments:
First PGA Tour Victory
Na earned his first PGA Tour victory in 2011, after being on tour for eight years. He won by two strokes, claiming a prize of $792,000. This victory also earned him a two-year exemption on tour.
2011 Valero Texas Open
In 2011, Na played the worst par-4 hole on the PGA Tour since 1983 at the Valero Texas Open. He made a 16 on the ninth hole, needing extra shots after an unplayable lie from his tee shot and receiving a two-stroke penalty. Despite this, he managed to shoot four-under for his other 17 holes.
2018 Military Tribute at The Greenbrier
Na won his second PGA Tour event at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier in 2018, carding a 6-under 64 and finishing with a tournament score of -19. This was his first PGA Tour win since 2011.
2019 Charles Schwab Challenge
Na claimed his third PGA Tour win at the 2019 Charles Schwab Challenge, achieving a four-shot victory. He carded a 62 in the second round and ended with a final round of 66, finishing the tournament at -13.
2021 Sony Open in Hawaii
In January 2021, Na won his fifth and final PGA Tour event at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He came from three strokes behind with six holes to play, walking in multiple birdie putts to claim victory.
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Frequently asked questions
Golfer Kevin Na is from Seoul, South Korea. His family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, settling in Southern California.
Kevin Na became a naturalized American citizen at the age of 18.
Kevin Na currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kevin Na took up golf when he was nine years old. He left high school at 17 to pursue a career in professional golf.
Kevin Na is of Korean ethnicity. He was born in South Korea and is now a naturalized American citizen.
