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Choi tied for first round lead in Hawaii

Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju blasted a four-under-par 69 for the joint first round lead at the Mercedes-Benz Championship on Thursday.

Choi, who is better known as KJ Choi, fired six birdies but dropped two shots under windy conditions at the Kapalua Resort. Equalling his feat at the top of the leaderboard were American duo of Will Mackenzie and Brett Wetterich, Fijian star Vijay Singh and Stephen Ames of Canada.

Choi, who was the first player to tee off, earned his spot in the winners-only tournament when he claimed his fourth US PGA Tour title at the Chrysler Championship last season. The 36-year-old finished in 27th place on the money which also earned him entry into the Majors this year.

The Korean enjoyed a steady run in 2006 making the cut in 22 out of the 26 events in US and finished in joint seventh spot at the US PGA Championship, the final Major of the season.

Choi enjoyed a good start this week at Kapalua where he holds the course record when he fired an 11-under 62 in the third round of the 2003 tournament. There are a total of 34 players competing this week excluding world no. 1 Tiger Woods and no. 3 Phil Mickelson.

January 5, 2007