Luke Kwon

{{Short description|South Korean and American golfer (born 1992)}} {{use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox golfer | name = Luke Kwon | fullname = | nickname = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|08|11}} | birth_place = Seoul, South Korea | death_date =  | death_place = | height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}} | weight = {{convert|180|lb|kg st|abbr=on}} | nationality = {{KOR}} | residence = | spouse = | partner = | children = | college = University of Oklahoma | yearpro = 2016 | tour = PGA Tour China | extour = | prowins = 1 | pgawins = | eurowins =  | japwins =  | asiawins =  1 | sunwins =  | auswins =  | nwidewins = | chalwins =  | champwins =  | seneurowins =  | otherwins =  | majorwins =  | masters = | usopen = | open = | pga = | wghofid =  | wghofyear =  | award1 = | year1 = | year2 = | awardssection =  }}

'''Luke Kwon''' (born August 11, 1992) is a South Korean and American{{Clarify|reason=What are his citizenships? Need to source|date=November 2025}} professional golfer and YouTube content creator who plays on the PGA Tour China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luke Kwon PGA TOUR Player Profile, Stats, Bio, Career |url=https://www.pgatour.com/player/56034/luke-kwon/bio |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=www.pgatour.com}}</ref>

==Early life== Kwon was born in Seoul, South Korea to Peter and Sara Kwon. He played golf at the University of Oklahoma.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Luke Kwon - 2015-16 - Men's Golf |url=https://soonersports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/luke-kwon/1096 |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=University of Oklahoma |language=en}}</ref> At age 21, Kwon lost his "dependency" status under his parents' work visa. Without a green card that he applied for within thirteen years prior, he reluctantly switched to a temporary student visa.<ref name="from Oklahoma">{{cite news |first=Carson |last=Williams |date=2019-11-29 |title=From Oklahoma to China, Kwon perseveres to keep dream alive |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/norman-oklahoma-qinhuangdao-china-kwon-perseveres-keep-dream-alive |website=NBC Sports |access-date=2026-01-21 }}</ref>

Kwon's golf skills were attributed to the Oklahoma Sooners entering the NCAA men's golf championship for the first time in 2016. The Sooners lost a quarterfinals match to the eventual championship winner Texas Longhorns.<ref name="from Oklahoma" /> After graduation, he briefly worked as a forecaddie in Dallas. When his visa was expiring, he moved to China to continue his golfing career.<ref name="from Oklahoma" />

==Professional career==

=== Professional golf tour career === Kwon went pro in 2016 and has earned $776,083 and played in over 47 PGA events in his professional career.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Swanger |first=Ben |date=2024-04-15 |title=Good Good Golf is the Boy Band of the Links |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2024/april/good-good-golf-is-the-boy-band-of-the-links/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=D Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> He has one professional tour win on the PGA Tour China.<ref name=":0" />

On May 19, 2019, Kwon won the Qinhuangdao Championship on the PGA Tour China in Hebei, China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Futian |first=Shi |title=Cool Kwon ices his first tour victory |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201905/21/WS5ce34d58a3104842260bcc9b.html |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=PGA Tour Series China |url=http://www.pgatourserieschina.com/en/schedule |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018195237/http://www.pgatourserieschina.com/en/schedule |archive-date=2019-10-18 |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=www.pgatourserieschina.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Profile |url=https://www.owgr.com/playerprofile/luke-kwon-25664 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=OWGR}}</ref> He finished in the top five on the PGA Tour China that season. As a result of the Order of Merit, he was qualified for the 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PGA Tour Series China - McGreevy takes Order of Merit title as four others will join him on 2020 Korn Ferry Tour |url=http://www.pgatourserieschina.com/en/news/mcgreevy-takes-order-of-merit-title-as-four-others-will-join-him-on-2020-korn-ferry-tour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925105211/http://www.pgatourserieschina.com/en/news/mcgreevy-takes-order-of-merit-title-as-four-others-will-join-him-on-2020-korn-ferry-tour |archive-date=2020-09-25 |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=www.pgatourserieschina.com |language=en}}</ref>

Kwon made his debut on the Asian Tour in October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leighfield |first=Elliott |date=2024-10-17 |title=Golf Influencer Luke Kwon Finishes Strong To Make Cut In Asian Tour Debut |url=https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/luke-kwon-strong-start-asian-tour |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Golf Monthly |language=en}}</ref> He made two under par 70 to make the cut at the Black Mountain Championship for his Asian Tour debut. In March 2025, he made the cut by one stroke for the International Series Macau.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leighfield |first=Jonny |date=2025-03-21 |title=YouTuber Luke Kwon Makes Asian Tour Cut On The Number After Dramatic Run To The Line |url=https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/luke-kwon-makes-international-series-macau-cut |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Golf Monthly |language=en}}</ref>

=== YouTube Golf === Kwon is known as a golf influencer, mainly featuring on YouTube with instructional videos and playing in various golf events on his own YouTube channel and on other golf influencer channels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fairholm |first=Sean |date=2024-05-24 |title=Our Top 20 Favorite Golf YouTube Channels |url=https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/our-top-20-favorite-golf-youtube-channels/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=MyGolfSpy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fairholm |first=Sean |date=2025-09-10 |title=These 10 YouTube Golf Channels Are Growing Like Wildfire |url=https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/these-10-youtube-golf-channels-are-growing-like-wildfire/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=MyGolfSpy |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025, My Golf Spy rated Kwon as one of the fastest growing golf channels on YouTube.

Kwon joined Good Good golf in August 2022.<ref name=":3" /> He gained a great deal of fame in the YouTube golf world during his time with Good Good, but ultimately announced his departure in April 2024.<ref name=":3" />

On August 8, 2024, Kwon won<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eaton |first=Alex |title=Creator Classic at TPC Sawgrass: What is it, who is involved ahead of The Players and how good are the golfers? |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12028/13318138/creator-classic-at-tpc-sawgrass-what-is-it-who-is-involved-ahead-of-the-players-and-how-good-are-the-golfers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251119060623/https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12028/13318138/creator-classic-at-tpc-sawgrass-what-is-it-who-is-involved-ahead-of-the-players-and-how-good-are-the-golfers |archive-date=November 19, 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |work=Sky Sports |language=en-GB |url-status=live }}</ref> the inaugural Creator Classic at East Lake Golf Club<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamel |first=Riley |title=The Field is Loaded for the Creator Classic at the TOUR Championship and East Lake |url=https://www.skratch.golf/news/news/creator-classic-tour-championship-east-lake-field-how-to-watch-format |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.skratch.golf |language=en}}</ref> in Atlanta.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |title=The Creator Classic captures attention at East Lake - PGA TOUR |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2024/08/28/the-creator-classic-recap-leaderboard-east-lake-luke-kwon-garrett-clark-wesley-george-bryan-fat-perez-paige-spiranac |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=www.pgatour.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bentley |first=Coleman |date=November 21, 2025 |title=The Feed: An impassioned Luke Kwon defense and the winner of the first-ever pro YouTube golf major |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-feed-youtube-golf-weekly-recap-bryan-bros-luke-kwon-brad-dalke-bob-does-sports |website=Golf Digest}}</ref> More than 110,000 people watched him win on the PGA Tour's YouTube channel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fairholm |first=Sean |date=2025-08-21 |title=The Creator Classic Suffers Its First Dud |url=https://mygolfspy.com/youtube/the-creator-classic-suffers-its-first-dud/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=MyGolfSpy |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2025, Kwon took part in the LIV Golf Miami Duels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rorabaugh |first=Dan |title=What are LIV Golf Duels? How to watch special event made for YouTube in Miami |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2025/04/05/liv-golf-duels-miami-watch-youtube/82783243007/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=The Palm Beach Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Andy |date=April 6, 2025 |title=The Duels: Miami - Full Results from LIV Golf's answer to PGA Tour's Creator Classic |url=https://www.golfmagic.com/tour/liv-golf/duels-leaderboard-full-results-liv-golfs-version-pga-tours-creator-classic |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.golfmagic.com |language=en}}</ref> He was partnered with Bubba Watson and lost in the final playoffs to Sergio García and George Bryan.<ref name=":4" />

Kwon participated in the inaugural Internet Invitational in August 2025, which was a YouTube golf event organized by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Shane |date=2025-11-20 |title=The Internet Invitational was a story about fathers: Good, bad and toxic |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/internet-invitational-story-fathers-good-163524373.html |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Personal life == In 2022, Kwon nearly died after he was involved in a golf cart accident.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osborne |first=Ryan |date=October 28, 2022 |title=A North Texas pro golfer nearly died in a golf cart accident. He lived to tell his story. |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/luke-kwon-golf-accident-youtube-good-good/287-0515ad5e-4e44-49bc-9753-42843b4e749f |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=WFAA |language=en-US}}</ref> Kwon was playing in an alumni golf tournament for the University of Oklahoma when he accidentally hit his head on a bridge railing at the event. He finished the round of seven more holes and went to the hospital afterwards at the urging of his girlfriend. Upon a CT scan, it was revealed that one-fourth of Kwon's brain was bleeding. He underwent emergency brain surgery and doctors removed a portion of his skull to relieve the swelling.

==Controversies== In a 2019 article by NBC Sports, Luke Kwon was criticized for his past issues at the University of Oklahoma.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Williams |first=Carson |date=November 29, 2019 |title=From Oklahoma to China, Kwon perseveres to keep dream alive |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/norman-oklahoma-qinhuangdao-china-kwon-perseveres-keep-dream-alive |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Sehjal |date=2025-11-03 |title=Luke Kwon slammed as old 2019 article resurfaces after Barstool Sports golfer misses tee time again |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/international-sports/luke-kwon-slammed-as-old-2019-article-resurfaces-after-barstool-sports-golfer-misses-tee-time-again/articleshow/124998863.cms |access-date=2026-01-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Kwon was apparently almost kicked off the team by head golf coach, Ryan Hybl, due to his maturity issues, but was instead given an ultimatum.<ref name=":1" /> He was barred from practice for two weeks and given the sole responsibility to wake up at 6 a.m. during those two weeks and meet with the weight-training staff. Fortunately, he met his requirements and stayed on the team.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Karim |title=Old Habits Die Hard: The Most Hated Man In Golf Luke Kwon Had An Article Written In 2019 About How He Nearly Got Kicked Off His College Team Because He Couldn't Wake Up On Time |url=https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3556265/old-habits-die-hard-the-most-hated-man-in-golf-luke-kwon-had-an-article-in-he |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=www.barstoolsports.com |language=en}}</ref>

Kwon became embroiled in controversy when the Internet Invitational first aired in October 2025 due to Kwon missing his tee time and being penalized by having to sit out the first four holes of his match.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-11-07 |title=Barstool Sports host weighs in on Internet Invitational villain Luke Kwon |url=https://golf.com/news/barstool-sports-host-internet-invitational-villain-luke-kwon/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fairholm |first=Sean |date=2025-11-05 |title=Should Luke Kwon Be The Most Hated Man On YouTube Golf? |url=https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/should-luke-kwon-be-the-most-hated-man-on-youtube-golf/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=MyGolfSpy |language=en-US}}</ref> He was further criticized for his comments to his partner, PFT Commenter after he arrived late to the first round of the event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Navya |date=2025-11-02 |title=Luke Kwon Claims YouTube Golf 'Isn't That Serious' After Internet Invitational Fallout |url=https://www.aol.com/articles/luke-kwon-claims-youtube-golf-153713884.html |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}}</ref> After the round was over, he was bitterly admonished by teammate, Ryan Whitney, a former National Hockey League player and host of the Spittin' Chiclets podcast at Barstool.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bentley |first=Coleman |date=November 6, 2025 |title=Controversial Internet Invitational villain calls YouTube golf fans 'the biggest group of p*****s on the internet' |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/ryan-whitney-luke-kwon-dave-portnoy-internet-invitational-youtube-golf-barstool-sports-controversy-quote |website=Golf Digest}}</ref> Kwon ultimately apologized for his actions at the event, stating “I apologize like sincerely from the bottom of my heart.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raj |first=Abhijit |date=November 2, 2025 |title=Luke Kwon Issues Public Apology After Days of Silence on His Controversial Actions |url=https://www.aol.com/articles/luke-kwon-issues-public-apology-021313975.html |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The Asian Tour made light of Kwon's issues waking up on time afterwards.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Myers |first=Alex |title=Asian Tour expertly trolls Luke Kwon for completing this simple task |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/asian-tour-expertly-trolls-luke-kwon-for-completing-this-simple-task |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208114923/https://www.golfdigest.com/story/asian-tour-expertly-trolls-luke-kwon-for-completing-this-simple-task |archive-date=December 8, 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |work=GolfDigest.com |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== Further reading == * {{Cite magazine |date=2025-11-21 |title=The Feed: An impassioned Luke Kwon defense and the winner of the first-ever pro YouTube golf major |magazine=Golf Digest |last=Bentley |first=Coleman |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-feed-youtube-golf-weekly-recap-bryan-bros-luke-kwon-brad-dalke-bob-does-sports |access-date=2026-01-22}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kwon, Luke}} Category:South Korean male golfers Category:Oklahoma Sooners men's golfers Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:YouTube golfers