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Choi takes comfort in first Open top ten

Korea’s K.J. Choi found some measure of consolation with his career first top-10 at the British Open on Sunday and left Carnoustie convinced that he will one day hoist the Claret Jug.

Choi, tipped by many as the Asian most likely to win a Major, shot a final round of even par 71 to finish on three-under-par 281 in tied eighth place.

Starting the day six off the lead, the world number 12 started strongly with a birdie on the fourth hole but his hopes all but vanished when he ran up a costly six on the par four ninth hole after finding trouble in the greenside trap.

Another bogey on 12 saw him slip further back but two successive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes pushed him into the top-10 in the year’s third Major.

“First top-10, I’m very happy,” smiled Choi. “My plan today was to be aggressive and I played aggressive shots but they only ended up in pars. That was a disappointing. It is still a good accomplishment, it is a memorable week.”

He believes he is mastering the art of playing on links courses, once considered as unfamiliar territory for Asian players.

“It was a good learning experience. To play in this week’s tough conditions was good for me. If my putting starts fall in, I can expect a lot of good things here in the future,” he said.

Choi rued some bad luck on the ninth. His ball ended up behind some tall grass on the ninth hole which resulted his approach shot to land in the greenside bunker. He subsequently three putted the green.

“The club turned over because of the grass and I couldn’t control the shot. These things happen,” he said.

With one more Major, the US PGA Championship next month, remaining this season, Choi plans to launch another title assault under more familiar surroundings in the US where he has won six times, including twice over the past two months.

“I want to play well there. I’m looking forward to the US PGA Championship and I’m going to be aggressive during that week,” said Choi, who plans to return for several tournaments in Asia after the conclusion of the US season.

July 22, 2007