K. J. Choi to appear alongside AI doppelgänger at SK Telecom Open

The SK Telecom Open 2023 tees off on Thursday at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju, with defending champion Kim Bio looking to become the first golfer since K. J. Choi to win the event three times.

Veteran golfer K. J. Choi will appear in both human, left, and AI avatar form at the SK Telecom Open 2023. [YONHAP; SK TELECOM]

The SK Telecom Open 2023 tees off on Thursday at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju, with defending champion Kim Bio looking to become the first golfer since K. J. Choi to win the event three times.

Kim has seen great success at the KPGA event that started in 1997, winning it in 2012 and 2022.

The 32-year-old has yet to win a title this season, as his best finish so far was tied for sixth at the 42nd GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship, where he failed to defend his title.

Kim has won eight KPGA titles, but he has not managed to defend his title yet.

Kim Bio hits a shot during the SK Telecom Open 2022 at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju on June 5, 2022. [YONHAP]

“I am nervous because I am competing as defending champion, but I am excited too,” Kim said Tuesday.

Kim will join the field as he looks to redeem himself after tying for 49th at the Woori Financial Group Championship that ended Sunday.

Another two-time champion, Choi Jin-ho — winner in 2015 and 2017 — is also among the 147-strong field as he looks for his third SK Telecom Open trophy.

Jung Chan-min, who failed to make the cut at the event last year, is another notable name. He has improved his form significantly from last year and earned his first KPGA title in style at the Maekyung Open with a wire-to-wire run.

Three-time champion K. J. Choi — winner in 2003, 2005 and 2008 — who is turning 53 on Friday, will also be competing.

This year’s SK Telecom Open will be more special for K. J. Choi, an eight-time PGA tour winner and one of the most successful Asian golfers of all time, as an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar version of him created by SK Telecom will work as a commentator during the tournament.

The AI Choi was made using real Choi's actual voice, and will present updates about the tournament on the TV broadcast.

Jang Seung-bo paired with Han Jae-min and Choi Young-joon will be the first to tee off on the first hole at 6:50 a.m., the same time Junseok Lee of Australia, Koh Gun-taek and Park Sang-hyun start on the 10th hole.

Two-time winner Choi Jin-ho will then tee off on the 10th hole alongside Kim Yeong-su and Seo Yo-seop at 7:12 a.m. followed by defending champion Kim Bio on the first hole with Jung and K. J. Choi at 12:02 p.m.

The SK Telecom Open will be broadcast through JTBC Golf.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]