Sang-moon Bae focused on golf at Kapalua despite looming conscription

Sang-moon Bae played Friday like a guy who, at least professionally speaking, has no certain tomorrow. That’s because he doesn’t.

Bae, who won the Frys.com Open in October to kick off the PGA Tour’s 2014-15 season, shot 7-under 66 in Round 1 of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, ultimately trailing leader Russell Henley by a shot at Kapalua’s Plantation Course. Each round is almost like an audition to continue his golf career.

When the 28-year-old returned to his native South Korea in December, Bae was denied an extension of his overseas travel visa, which expired at the end of December. That denial by the Korean Military Manpower Administration (MMA) was a signal the country’s military would require Bae to complete a two-year conscription required for all Korean men aged 18 to 35. Korean men between the ages of 25 and 35 must have an overseas travel visa to remain overseas. Without an extension of his visa, Bae is legally compelled to return to Korea by the end of January.

Attorneys for Bae, who became a permanent U.S. resident in January 2013, are trying to persuade the MMA for an extension that could last up to three years. Meanwhile, Bae is trying not to think about the future.

“A little bit hard to focus on my game because I got a little trouble,” Bae said. “But I try to split things. But I don’t want to think about it, the other things on the course. So yeah, I think I did really good today. I really want to the next three days, also.”

If Bae’s counsel is able to secure an extension for the two-time PGA Tour winner, it could be extended through 2016, when golf makes its return to the Olympic program. Right now, Bae would qualify for the 60-player men’s tournament. Were he to win a medal of any kind, he would become exempt from military service.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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