Sport Book Service | PGA Tour star Sang-moon Bae returns to the day job after serving two years compulsory service in South Korean army

GOLFER Sang-Moon Bae plays his first tournament for two years this week after ending his compulsory military service in the South Korean army.

Bae, 31 who has won two titles and more than 4.5million on the US PGA Tour spent 21 months as a rifleman and was discharged in August.

Sang-moon Bae in his full military regalia for the South Korean armyCredit: Instagram, @sangmoon_bae

The PGA Tour winner last played in the Presidents Cup two years agoCredit: Getty Images

Military service is compulsory for all able-bodied South Korean males.

Bae, whose last pro tournament was at the 2015 Presidents Cup for the International team against the USA in his native South Korea, will play Thursday in the Shinhan Donghae Open in Incheon.

He says his time in the military has made him stronger, both mentally and physically.

And all the hard training he has done means he is now driving the ball further than ever.

Bae, who won the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Championship in 2013 and the Frys.com Open in 2014, said: I didnt have many opportunities to play golf when I was in the army.

But whenever we had our vacations, they allowed us to do so.

The multi-millionaire will have to once again get used to playing in front of big crowdsCredit: Getty Images

Sang-moon Bae has been updating fans on his time in the military through his Instagram pageCredit: Instagram, @sangmoon_bae

"I've been dying to play golf. I want to get some practice in and get into tournament golf.

I've been dreaming of the moment when I find myself in contention for a title."

He entered the army in 2015 after losing a contracted court battle to fight his conscription.

South Korea and North Korea are currently under a cease fire, but the two never officially signed a peace treaty to end the Korean War.

Because of this, all men age 18 to 35 must serve two years of mandatory military service.

Bae, who at one time was ranked 26th in the world, had hoped his fame would give him an exemption.

He was discharged in August, and has been practicing hard to make up for the enforced break to his career.

But Bae said he is now glad to have served his country.

He said: I've learned the value of perseverance each and every day, and I think this will form a great foundation for the rest of my life.

South Korea's Sang-moon Bae celebrates winning a match in the Presidents CupCredit: Getty Images

Be back on #pgatour #2017/18season. sooooooooo excited #.

A post shared by Sangmoon Bae. (@sangmoon_bae) on Aug 18, 2017 at 12:55am PDT

##sangmoonbae

A post shared by Sangmoon Bae. (@sangmoon_bae) on Aug 13, 2016 at 5:36pm PDT

"I believe patience and perseverance will pay huge dividends in my golf career, too.

Im very happy to be back, playing among fellow professionals.

It has been a month since I was discharged from the army and Ive dedicated all my time to golf ever since.

Im looking forward to a good challenge this week and will be very interested to see where I finish on Sunday.

Asked what he wanted to do most while in the military he said: "From the day when I was a private second class, a private first class and even the last day of the service, I wanted to be discharged from the military.

"I wanted to play in tournaments, I wanted to sleep at home and I wanted to drive.

Bae, now ranked 1,869 in the world, plans to return to the USPGA Tour next month, which granted him a rare extension of his tour card.

He has won 15 tournaments around the world but has yet to contend in any of the majors.