Choi Kyoung-ju watches a shot during the final round of the SK Telecom Open on Sunday at the Sky72 Golf Club on Yeongjong Island. / Yonhap |
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Choi Kyoung-ju claimed his third title at the SK Telecom Open.
In the final round of the $600,000 tournament on Sunday at the Sky72 Golf Club on Yeongjong Island, the 37-year-old South Korean, who shared the lead after three rounds, carded a six-under-par 66 to finish with a total score of 16-under 272 and earn a four-shot victory over Kang Kyung-nam, one of the three co-leaders on the previous day.
South Africa's Retief Goosen, who was the back-to-back U.S. Open champion in 2001 and 2002, took third with an 11-under 277.
By claiming his third victory in the event following wins in 2003 and 2005, Choi now has more wins than anyone else in the history of the 12-year-old tournament. He is followed by Charlie Wi and Park Nam-sin, who won two titles apiece.
In addition, Choi, a seven-time PGA Tour winner, notched his 13th professional win in South Korea.
Unlike the third round, where Choi struggled on the front nine, the native of Wando, South Jeolla Province, got off to a strong start, making birdies on the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth holes to extend his lead to four shots. He added one more birdie on the 14th hole to decide the win.
Kang Sung-hoon, the other co-leader of the third round, shot even par in the final round to finish fourth.
Choi will fly back to the United States on Thursday after participating in several events.
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