THE OPEN RELATED STORIES The Open Home Page The Open Scores Round 4: Harrington defends Open title Round 4: Ian Poulter impresses with second place Round 4: Greg Norman proud of achievement Round 4: Henrik Stenson happy with best finish Round 3: Norman takes a two shot lead Round 2: KJ Choi edges a shot clear at halfway Round 1: Late starters share first round lead Course Guide: Royal Birkdale 2008 European Tour Schedule Open Champions 1860-2007 Tee Times and Pairings Prize Fund/Purse Open Championship scoring and other records Open Championship quotes - Wise and witty words about golf's oldest Championship Wind the biggest threat at Royal Birkdale Injuries aboud around the 137th Open Without Tiger many look to score Major success Unhappy John Daly back at The Open Kenny Perry defends absence Justin Rose returns to scene of 1998 drama Padraig Harrington still a doubt Sergio Garcia favourite for The Open Tiger Woods the hot topic of conversation Lee Westwood praises Royal Birkdale Graeme McDowell looking to continue good form Players puzzled by Kenny Perry's absence Wrist worry for Padraig Harrington Phil Mickelson dodges the Tiger factor Green Royal Birkdale greets players Open not devalued by Tiger absence says O'Meara Furyk confident of better Royal Birkdale fortunes Phil Mickelson confident of adding to Major tally Luke Donald out of Open with wrist injury Justin Rose looking forward not back 137th Open Championship Summary GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Huge savings on Festive gifts! A golf break in France - just £89! Half Price Golf Vouchers Take 10 shots off your scores! Best Value Golf Insurance

Patient approach works for KJ Choi

Patience will be K.J. Choi's watchword over the last two rounds of the British Open in his bid to become the first Asian male to win a major.

The South Korean edged one stroke clear of the pack by firing a three-under-par 67 in Friday’s second round at blustery Royal Birkdale.

Choi cemented his place among the game’s elite by winning his seventh U.S. PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in January and has been knocking on the door in the majors for four years.

“If I were to win this the reaction back in Korea would be tremendous,” the 37-year-old told reporters through an interpreter after posting a one-under total of 139 to lead twice former champion Greg Norman by a shot.

“It’s a major tournament and I know there are a lot of people praying for me back home.

“I don’t think I’ve ever led in a major but, with the experience of playing in numerous other majors before, I think the key thing I’ve learned is to stay patient.

“The other thing is try to get as much rest as you can and not be too aggressive out there,” added former weightlifter Choi, the son of a rice farmer.

“I’m just going to take the approach of being a learner and not get too confident but just take every day as a learning experience.”

Choi has recorded four top-10 finishes in the majors since the end of 2003. His closest effort was third place at the 2004 U.S. Masters where he ended three shots behind the triumphant Phil Mickelson.

The ever-smiling Korean tied for eighth at Carnoustie in last year’s British Open and relishes the challenge of links course golf.

“Whether it’s windy or not over the weekend I don’t think it’s going to matter because this course is difficult as it is,” said Choi. “I just have to try my best until the end.

“I feel very comfortable playing on the links courses. I think my swing has been very good this week, very powerful and simple. I feel very good.

“Today was probably the best round I’ve ever played at the British Open,” added Choi after carding four birdies and a lone bogey. “All my shots, the swing, putting, everything, worked out the way I wanted it to.

“The key thing right now is to try to finish. The fan support today was wonderful. I got a lot of motivation out of that.”