SportsGolf

Google Maps gone wrong: Pro golfer takes trip to Canada by mistake

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Jul 30 2026, 5:58 pm
Google Maps gone wrong: Pro golfer takes trip to Canada by mistake
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Professional golfer Si Woo Kim may be a bit hesitant when it comes to trusting Google Maps going forward.

Si Woo, who is in Detroit for the Rocket Classic this weekend, arrived in Michigan a few days early and decided to make dinner plans with fellow professional golfer Michael Kim.

The two decided to meet up at Daebak Korean BBQ, and that’s where an all-time tale ensued.

Si Woo explained to reporters that he believed he had found the right restaurant on Google Maps, and began following the route. Confusion began after he went through a tunnel and was forced to pay a $9 toll. Little did he know that the fee was to pass through the border.

“I had to pay to go through and thought, ‘Why is it so expensive?’” Si Woo explained to reporters. “And as soon as I get through the tunnel, ‘Oh, this is Canada.’”

Si Woo admitted that the situation wound up being quite stressful, as he was forced to explain what happened to immigration officials. Making matters even worse was that he didn’t have his passport on him.

“I went to the immigration, I told my situation, and then I went to the parking garage office,” Si Woo said. “I was freaking out, so I couldn’t speak English very much. [The border official] thought I was a weird guy.”

Not recognizing Si Woo, border officials then began to search his vehicle. Thankfully, they wound up realizing that the four-time PGA winner had simply made a mistake, which then ensued in some playful banter.

“He told me, ‘Are you going to win this Sunday?’ I said, ‘If you let me through.'”

Michael wound up confirming on Tuesday night that the two were able to meet up for dinner, albeit 90 minutes later than initially planned. He made sure to poke some fun at Si Woo in a lengthy message on X.

“Never a dull moment with Si Woo,” Michael wrote. “Thanks for the content, my guy.”

It appears that Si Woo got over the nerve-wracking experience, as he ended his first day having shot a one-under 69 while in a pairing with Akshay Bhatia and Aldrich Potgieter.

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