By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM K.J. Choi has been the toast of the town in his native Korea after winning THE PLAYERS Championship on Sunday ?even getting a congratulatory text from the country뭩 president, Myung Bak Lee, among the hundreds of messages he뭩 received. Choi should be celebrated, too, in the southeastern part of the United States after pledging $200,000 of his earnings from his eighth PGA TOUR victory to tornado relief. The donation through the K.J. Choi Foundation follows previous pledges of $100,000 each to help the victims of the Japanese tsunami and the earthquake in Haiti. Choi "When I heard the news about the tornadoes, not far after the Japan tsunami disaster, I knew I had to do something help them as well," Choi said. "While winning THE PLAYERS Championship was a defining point in my life, there were those who were going through their low point. I want the victims of the tornadoes know that their misfortunes will not be ignored." Choi said his foundation will work with relief organizations like the Red Cross to ensure the funds go toward helping the victims of the tornadoes, which killed in excess of 300 people and destroyed entire towns. Choi has made his home in the United States since 1999, living now at The Woodlands, outside Houston, Texas. Choi left Ponte Vedra on Monday and is currently in Seoul playing in the SK Telecom Open. He opened with a round of 70 on Thursday and is four strokes off the lead. An autographed driver that Choi used at TPC Sawgrass last week sold for $9,000 at a live auction during Wednesday night뭩 tournament gala. In addition, he received a painting of his tee shot at the 17th hole ?created in just one day by one of Korea뭩 most well-known artists. With Sunday뭩 victory, Choi rose to second in the standings for Greg Norman뭩 International Team that will play in the Presidents Cup in Australia Nov. 14-20 in Melbourne, Australia. He also jumped from 31st to sixth in the FedExCup. Filed under: K.J. Choi 9 Comments | Permalink -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John B May 18th, 2011 3:28 pm KJ has shown himself to be a class act. Congrats on the win! wmefish May 18th, 2011 7:20 pm Great move. KJ is a great player and obviously a great person. Always thought he was a bit cocky, but maybe I need to rethink that. He will win in Augusta at some point. Andrew May 18th, 2011 7:38 pm K.J. is an around class act ?as well as a great golfer ! God bless K.J. ! Jason May 18th, 2011 11:41 pm Kj is all quality. Peter May 19th, 2011 12:35 am Well done, KJ. USOpen@ChambersBay May 19th, 2011 10:17 am People, THIS is how You create good karma for yourselves and Your family and a CONTINUATION of your successes! Just Watch the rest of K.J.뭩 Year! Become a force for 멺ood? or You will go the way of Eldrick. . . . Cyang May 19th, 2011 10:24 am Congr. KJ. great man on and off the field. God bless you for all the giving. If everycare the world will be a better place. Chuck May 19th, 2011 11:13 am Somehow I knew K.J. Choi was a first class gentleman. He is a credit to the PGA Tour. hotwater May 19th, 2011 12:54 pm KJ is one of the a great man in pgatour on and off the course. he helps lots of poor people all around the world. he knows what is sharing. that뭩 nice^^. let뭩 keep going kj, YOU WILL GET THERE YOUR FINAL GOAL, what ever it is. GOD BLESS YOU