Imagination now reality for Yang

CHASKA, Minn. – Whenever Y.E. Yang was in a tournament with Tiger Woods, he would sit in the clubhouse and think about playing against the world’s most famous athlete.

He’d visualize different scenarios, come up with strategies.

Deep down, he had a secret that he shared with no one: Yang would imagine beating Woods.

“The good players, the great names that you’ve mentioned, when they tee off with Tiger, their competitive juices sort of flow out and they go head to head and try to win,” Yang said through an interpreter. “For me, I don’t consider myself as a great golfer. I’m still more of the lower-than-average PGA Tour players.”

Not anymore. In a matter of four hours Sunday, Yang’s life – and that of every aspiring golfer around the world, but particularly in Asia – changed forever.

Not only did the 37-year-old South Korean become the first Asian player to win one of men’s golf’s majors – the PGA Championship – he took down none other than the sport’s No. 1 guy to do it. Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia – they all tried and failed.

Not Yang, who was poised, unflappable and determined throughout.

Not bad for someone who took up golf at 19 simply as a way to pay bills and ended up finding the job of his dreams.

“Honestly, I’m not prepared, I think,” he said. “It’s going to be a bit tough, sure, I know that. It’s going to be fun, too. But honestly, I’ve never been in this spot, so I really can’t assess it. This is my first time. I’m just going to try to go and improvise.”