PGA Tour golfer Michael Kim and fellow player Si Woo Kim accidentally drove across the Canadian border while searching for a Detroit Korean barbecue restaurant. The two golfers, who are not related, had a wild trip while visiting Michigan this week for the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
Michael Kim detailed the extraordinary story in a lengthy social media post on X, formerly Twitter. He explained that he always visits a solid Korean barbecue spot when in Detroit and texted Si Woo Kim asking, "wanna grab dinner tonight at this place?" Si Woo Kim agreed, searched the restaurant name on Google Maps, and began driving without thinking much about the route.
A restaurant with the exact same name was located closer to Si Woo Kim across the border in Canada. Before it was too late, he realized he was heading across the United States border into Canada. He tried to turn back, but it was already too late because the road was a one-way street with multiple signs prohibiting U-turns. Si Woo Kim did not have his passport with him, carrying only his wallet.
Border control inspection
The two golfers had to travel into Canada and join a 45-minute line of people waiting to travel back across the border into the United States. Given that Si Woo Kim was driving without a passport, he had to plead with border security officials and do the talking to explain their mistake. Feeling super nervous, he pointed to his courtesy car and told the border officer, "I’m here for the golf tournament."
The initial border officer was unsure what to do and had them drive the courtesy car to the side. The officer called another official, then another, until eight officers surrounded the vehicle while talking to each other and to Si Woo Kim. Officials searched the car for weapons and questioned him on whether he possessed any drugs or weapons before finally allowing them through.
Arrival at dinner
All ended well for the pair as they successfully made it back over to the United States and reached the Korean barbecue restaurant they had planned to attend all along. Michael Kim noted that the night finished with a nice Korean barbecue dinner about 90 minutes later than originally planned, writing, "Never a dull moment with Si Woo. Thanks for the content my guy."
Si Woo Kim later commented on the event on Instagram, writing, "Made it back safely without passport."