Hot putter gives KJ Choi victory at SK Telecom
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2003 SK Telecom Open | Wrap | 29 Jun 2003
In an event shortened by rain to 54 holes, Korean golfing superstar, KJ Choi, narrowly won the SK Telecom Open in Korea today, when he holed putts from fifteen feet for par on the 17th hole, ten feet for birdie on the 18th hole, seven feet for par at the first playoff hole and then from ten feet again at the 2nd and final playoff hole, to beat fellow Korean Shin Yong-jin for the title.
This was the first time in nine months that the two time USPGA Tour winner had played in his homeland, but his exploits in the US, where he has become the first Korean winner on the USPGA Tour, have given him a similar star status in Korea to that of his country woman Se Ri Pak.
39-year-old Shin, who has only previously won on the Korean PGA Tour, led after two rounds following his second round 64 and, in fact, still had the lead with just two holes to play. Choi’s birdie at the last hole saw the two head off to the eighteenth again, with Choi winning his first event in Korea in three years just two holes later.
Invited guest, American Corey Pavin surprised many with a very good showing for third, missing the playoff by two.
Kim Felton was the leading Australian in 14th place, David Gleeson faded badly after a great start to the event to finish 28th, Eddie Lee was 45th and Jason Dawes 65th.
