Battling Choi has chance of strong finish

Korea's K.J. Choi has set his sights firmly on a strong finish at the Masters Tournament after battling to a two-over-par 74 in chilly and windy conditions on Saturday.

The Asian strongman, third at the Masters in 2004, produced his best score of the week following a pair of 75s at Augusta National Golf Club and feels he is playing well enough to finish high up on the leaderboard on Sunday.

Gusting winds made conditions extremely difficult and while 74 seemed to be a good score, Choi, who has a three-day total of eight-over-par 224, was disappointed with his day, which included three birdies against five bogeys.

"I'm not happy as I bogeyed 10, 11 and 12. I was hitting the ball good but it was too windy. But in the last seven holes, I played nicely. My goal today was to hit even or under par," said Choi, who is playing in his fifth Masters.

"The greens were a little softer because of the rain early in the morning but with the wind blowing the way it is, the greens are drying up fast. It's very tough out there," said Choi, a four-time winner on the US Tour.

The Korean turned in 36 with two birdies on the second and third against two bogeys on the first and fifth holes before boarding the dreaded bogey train at Augusta National. He missed three putts from inside four feet in succession but bounced back at the 13th hole, a par five, when he spun a wedge to a foot of the flag for an easy birdie.

"I think I have a chance to aim for a top-10, the scores are going up. The back nine is playing very hard and it's so hard to control you iron shots. I'm going to have a good rest tonight and spend time practising on my putting. I think I can play well tomorrow. I'm feeling good," said Choi.

Fellow Korean Yang Yong-eun, making his Masters debut, endured a frustrating day with a 78 which included seven bogeys against a lone birdie.

April 7, 2007