Choi takes the title at Tiger's tournament

Asian no. 1, Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju captured his sixth US PGA Tour title on Sunday and then signalled his intentions of ending Asia’s drought in the Majors.

The man known better as KJ fired a final round of two-under-par 68 to lift the AT&T National, an event hosted by Tiger Woods, by three strokes from Steve Stricker. It was Choi’s second win of the season following his victory in the Memorial Tournament five weeks ago.

With the British Open slated for next week at Carnoustie in Scotland, the Asian Tour graduate will be looking for greater rewards after adding another US$1 million to his bank account.

“This tournament is really too big for me to absorb right now," said the Korean star, who shot earlier rounds of 66, 67 and 70. “It's just unbelievable. I feel great right now.”

In a thrilling showdown with Stricker, Choi, who started the last round two off the pace, produced some sensational shots to secure one of his biggest wins yet of his glowing career.

He holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 15th for a two-shot lead and then splashed a stunning bunker shot on 17th for another birdie to virtually seal his triumph.

Choi grew up on Wando island and picked up golf at a late age thanks to the encouragement from his physical education teacher. He cut his teeth on the Asian Tour in the 1990s before breaking into the US PGA Tour where he has plied his trade with success since 2000.

As he is now firmly entrenched amongst the world’s elite, Choi will be seeking for a first Major victory. His best finish was third in the 2004 Masters while his best outing in the British Open was a tie for 16th in the same year.

“My life's dream is to become the first Asian to win a major,” he said. “I'm going to work very hard at it.”

In Japan, Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng came agonisingly close to a maiden victory after he was beaten in a play-off by Toru Taniguchi in the Woodone Open Hiroshima.

Prayad carded a final round 66 but it was a costly bogey on the 18th hole during regulation play which saw him blow a chance of a first win in Japan. He had carded earlier rounds of 67, 68 and 68 for a 269 total to move in contention.

Compatriot Prom Meesawat settled for 24th place after rounds of 67, 71, 75 and 69 while Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza was tied 41st on 285.

In the Smurfit Kappa European Tour, Australian veteran Peter Fowler finished equal 18th with rounds of 70, 71, 67 and 67. The Asian Tour member has shown a revival in form after finishing second in the inaugural Motorola International Bintan earlier this season.

Thai Thongchai Jaidee and India’s Jyoti Randhawa, both former Asian number ones, shared 25th place on 276. Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie won the title by one stroke with his 11-under-par 269 total.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, last season’s UBS Order of Merit winner, was 34th after rounds of 67, 73, 69 and 68 while Korea’s Yang Yong-eun and Thai Thaworn Wiratchant were 60th and 68th respectively

July 9, 2007

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page