South Korean golfer Sang-moon Bae is returning to his homeland to complete military service after losing a legal battle against the Military Manpower Administration in Daegu.
The two-time winner on the PGA Tour gained United States residency in 2013 but was charged with violating South Korea's Military Service Act in February for his failure to return home after the expiration of his overseas travel permit.
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Bae won his second PGA title in October at the Frys.com Open in Napa, Calif., and has secured exemption for 2016 after winning $2,047,187 so far in the 2015 season.
Bae, who will earn around $130 a month as a private in the South Korean Army, took home $15,209 from his last outing on the PGA Tour after tying for 54th at The Greenbrier Classic earlier this month.
Bae had earlier unsuccessfully requested an extension to the permit and, on Wednesday, a court ruled the 29-year-old did not have sufficient grounds to remain outside South Korea any longer.
"I'd like to apologize to my fans for causing them concerns," he is quoted as saying by the Yonhap News Agency. "I decided that I can mature further as a golfer by returning home as soon as I can and complete my mandatory military service."
Explaining the reasons for challenging his call-up, Bae added: "I felt this was a critical time for me as a young athlete to continue to compete on the U.S. golf tour, and I'd been doing the best I could to extend my stay, which was the legal and reasonable way.
"But the court's ruling today reminded me of the fact I should put my duty as a South Korean citizen ahead of my golfing career."
All able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to serve around two years in the South Korean armed forces.