PGA golfer accidentally drives into Canada, car surrounded by 8 border agents: ‘freaking out’
- American golfer Michael Kim invited South Korean golfer Si Woo Kim to dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant in Detroit during the Rocket Classic tournament.
- Si Woo accidentally drove to a similarly named restaurant in Windsor, Canada, without his passport, crossing the border via the Detroit-Windsor tunnel and paying a $9 toll.
- After realizing the mistake, Si Woo was questioned and searched by Canadian border agents but was ultimately allowed to return to the U.S.
- Though delayed by 90 minutes, the two golfers eventually met for dinner on the U.S. side, with Michael humorously thanking Si Woo for the memorable experience.
A PGA player driving to meet a fellow tour golfer for dinner ended up accidentally driving into Canada from Detroit earlier this week.
On Tuesday evening, American golfer Michael Kim invited his South Korean counterpart Si Woo Kim (no relation) to dinner at a “solid Korean BBQ restaurant” that he frequents when visiting Detroit. The two are in the city for this week’s Rocket Classic at the Detroit Golf Club.
“I put it into Google Maps – it’s close to my hotel, like 1.5 miles, so I thought it was for sure that one,” Si Woo told CBS Golf on Wednesday, a day after Michael shared the story on X.
It wasn’t.
The restaurant Michael recommended was Daebak Korean BBQ, which is almost 20 miles northwest of downtown Detroit in the suburb of Southfield.
Si Woo, however, obtained directions to Daebak Jib Restaurant in downtown Windsor and, without a second look — or his passport — set off for his destination. (Daebak translates to jackpot or big hit in Korean, but it also used an exclamation like awesome or amazing.)
“I follow the instructions and somehow make a turn; there’s a toll gate, like $9 I had to pay to go through. I’m like, ‘Why is it so expensive’ and then as soon as I get into the tunnel …’Oh, this is Canada,’” the world’s No. 18-ranked golfer recounted, referring to the tunnel beneath the Detroit River connecting the two cities.
In Michael’s telling, it was too late to turn back when Si Woo realized his error, so he explained his case to a U.S. border agent and was told not to worry because it “happens all the time.” Regardless, he still had to go through the tunnel and talk to officials in Canada.
On the Canadian side, Si Woo “was freaking out,” but did his best through nervous, broken English to explain that he’s in Detroit for a golf tournament.
He told Michael that as many as eight Canada Border Service Agency officers surrounded his car at one point. They searched his tournament courtesy car, asked him if he had any drugs or weapons, and eventually sent him on his way.
During their questioning, one of them asked if he would win this Sunday, to which Si Woo said he replied: “If you let me through.”
As for dinner, Michael said they did connect on the U.S. side, albeit 90 minutes later than anticipated.
“Never a dull moment with Si Woo,” Michael wrote. “Thanks for the content, my guy.”