Choi tops money list, wins Vare Trophy
By Yoon Chul
Choi Na-yeon of Korea topped the money list on the LPGA tour and claimed the Vare Trophy for the year’s lowest scoring average, Sunday.
Choi, who carded five birdies and three bogeys for a 2-under 70 in the final round, shared fifth at 1-under at the LPGA Tour Championship at Grand Cypress Resort, Orlando, Fla. — the last event of the LPGA season.
The 23-year-old had already confirmed she would finish top of the money list in the third round as World No. 1 Shin Ji-yai failed to advance to the final 18 holes, adding only $3,359 in prize money. Choi collected $56,608 prize money for a total of $1,871,166 for 2010.
It is the second straight year for a Korean to top the money list as Shin had that distinction last year.
“I am very satisfied with my season,” Choi said. “The Vare Trophy is what I wanted to achieve most in the LPGA. It is really meaningful for me,” Choi said.
“Honestly I wanted to get the Vare Trophy more than the Player of the Year award,” she added.
Choi was slightly ahead of Cristie Kerr before starting the Tour Championship. The only way for Kerr to take the trophy was finishing three shots better than Choi.
Pak Se-ri was the first Korean to win the the Vare Trophy in 2003, while Park Ji-eun (Grace Park) claimed the title in 2004.
“I was concerned a lot about Kerr’s play,” Choi said. “Especially when I recorded my first bogey on the seventh in the final round, I was nervous. But as I was able to win with a margin of less than three shots between me and Kerr, I only focused on my play,” added Choi.
With two victories this season, Choi finished second four times and marked a total of 14 top-10 finishes in 23 events.
Tseng Ya-ni, who finished 21st with a 5-over 293, took the Player of the Year award with 188 points, followed by Kerr (182) and Choi (180).
Choi closed in on the top spot on the leaderboard with five birdies with one bogey until the 14th hole. But she fell back, bogeying the 15th, three putting, and the 17th.
“I really appreciate my fans. I will take a break this month and take a good winter training session for better performances,” Choi said.