8 Things You Didn't Know About Y.E. Yang

Get to know the 2009 PGA Champion better with these 10 things you didn't know about him.

Things You Didn't Know About Y.E. Yang

Get to know the 2009 PGA Champion better with these 10 things you didn't know about him.

8 Things You Didn't Know About Y.E. Yang

Y.E Yang famously won the 2009 USPGA Championship held at Hazeltine National Golf Club by battling Tiger Woods throughout the final day. He eventually emerged victorious thanks to a hybrid to six-feet on the last hole which he then holed. It was a fitting birdie that gave him a three shot victory over Woods.

Not that much is known about the Major champion though so to alter that we have taken a look at eight things you didn't already know about him.

8 Things You Didn't Know About Y.E. Yang

1. Born in South Korea, his full name is Yang Yong-eun. He is the fourth of eight children.

2. He is the only Asian-born male player to win a Major championship.

3. He is the only player to overturn a 54-hole lead held by Tiger Woods in a Major Championship. He did so at the 2009 PGA Championship.

4. His other wins on Tour include: 2006 HSBC Champions, 2009 Honda Classic and the 2010 Honda Classic. He has also had several wins on the Japan, Asian and Korean Tours.

5. He started playing golf at the age of 19 whilst picking golf balls up part-time. He turned pro in 1996 after teaching himself the game.

6. He served his mandatory South Korean military service at the age of 21, just after he tore his ACL whilst working as an excavator for a construction company.

7. He owns an indoor golf range in the Koreatown section of Dallas, where he currently resides.

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8. Yang represented the international team in two Presidents Cups - 2009 and 2011. On both occasions the USA emerged victorious. In the 2009 event he played against Tiger twice and lost both times, including a 6&5 drubbing during the singles.

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Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer