Koreaâs Minchel Choi held off the challenge of compatriot Sanghyun Park by sinking a birdie on the last hole to win the Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship by two shots on Sunday.
Walking up the 18 green, Choi knew he could not afford to drop a shot as that would leave the door open for Park to force a three-hole play-off with him at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
The 30-year-old steadied his nerves and could not contain his delight when he watched his putt from 10-feet drop into the cup.
Choiâs final round two-under-par 69 not only confirmed him as the newest champion of his National Open but also earned him a ticket to The Open in Carnoustie next month, with the Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship part of The Open Qualifying Series this year.
A fast-charging Sanghyun had earlier surmounted a late challenge when he stormed towards the finishing line with two birdies in his last four holes.
But after closing with a four-day total of 12-under-par 272 and watching Choi sign off with a winning birdie, Park eventually settled for second place at the KR?1,200,000,000 (approx. US$1,125,000) event.
Koreans continued to dominate their National Open with only Americans Kevin Na and John Cathlin breaking into the top-10 with their tied-fifth finish.
Did you know?
¡      Minchel Choi turned professional in 2009. Before his win, Choi he had three runner-up finishes on the Korean Tour in 2017.
¡      He went to New Zealand when he was 14 to pursue his studies and golf training. But had to return to Korea early because his family could not afford his studies fees in New Zealand anymore.
¡      Choiâs father suffered a stroke in 2006 and is half-paralysed. His father played a key role in his career. Â
¡      Sanghyun Park prevailed in a four-man play-off to win the Maekyung Open last week. He immediately took up membership with the Asian Tour following that win.
¡      Park won again on the domestic circuit last week.
¡      The Korea Open has been a stronghold of the Koreans in the last decade. Rickie Fowler of the United States remains as the last foreign player to break the Korean dominance when he won the 2011 edition by six shots.
Playersâ Quotes
Minchel Choi (Kor), Fourth round 69 (-2), Total 272 (-12)
I felt very nervous especially walking up to 18 hole as I knew I could not afford to drop a shot there, knowing that Sanghyun had done very well. But somehow I managed to compose myself and close with a birdie. This win goes out to my family and sponsors who have been behind me in every step of my career. I would not have come this far without their support. Iâm really excited about going to Carnoustie and play in my first Major! Itâs like a dream come true and no words can express how delighted Iâm right now. There will be many world class players at The Open and I canât wait to compete against them.
Sanghyun Park (Kor), Fourth round 66 (-5), Total 274 (-10)
Iâm really looking forward to playing in my first Major at The Open. Itâs every professional golferâs dream to play in a Major and Iâm no different. I came very close to winning again but thatâs okay, thatâs golf. I put up a good fight but Choiâs a deserving winner. You cannot win all the time and hopefully my day will come again.
Kevin Na (Usa), Fourth round 70 (-1), Total 279 (-5)
I didnât feel like I got a lot out of my rounds this week. The putter was a bit cold but overall I felt like I hit the ball pretty good. I obviously came into this week trying to win the tournament for my sponsor but thatâs golf. Overall itâs still not too bad. I enjoyed my week here as I got to enjoy Korean food and caught up with my friends.
John Catlin (Usa), Fourth round 70 (-1), Total 279 (-5)
Itâs always good to be in the top-10 under very tough conditions. Iâve been trying to give myself opportunities all week. I made a lot of clutch par saves. It was hard to hit a lot of shots really close to the pins so Iâm very proud of how Iâve played. This is a course that requires lots of local knowledge. Itâs the first time in 10 years the Asian Tour is back for the Korea Open. But as we keep coming back, weâll only get better and put up a better fight against the Koreans. Iâm going to play Queenâs Cup, Sarawak and Indonesia. Itâs a three-week stretch for me. I know I can compete out here and Iâm hoping to see when that next win comes again.
Leading scores after round 4 of the Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship being played at the par 71, 7328 Yards Woo Jeong Hills Country Club course (am – denotes amateur):
272 – Minchel CHOI (KOR) 69-70-64-69.
274 – Sanghyun PARK (KOR) 68-69-71-66.
278 – Kyongjun MOON (KOR) 69-70-73-66, K.T. KIM (KOR) 68-73-69-68.
279 – Changwon HAN (KOR) 72-65-73-69, Kevin NA (USA) 67-72-70-70, John CATLIN (USA) 69-69-71-70, Jaewoong EOM (KOR) 70-71-67-71, Hosung CHOI (KOR) 67-66-72-74.
280 – Junsung KIM (KOR) 68-76-68-68, Sanghee LEE (KOR) 72-70-68-70.
281 – Doyeob MUN (KOR) 69-71-72-69, Dongmin LEE (KOR) 71-70-69-71, Innchoon HWANG (KOR) 68-73-68-72, Seungtaek LEE (KOR) 67-71-69-74.
282 – Woohyun KIM (KOR) 69-71-75-67, Hanbyeol KIM (am, KOR) 71-70-71-70, Jaemin HAN (am, KOR) 68-73-67-74.
283 – Sungyeol KWON (KOR) 70-71-72-70, Junsub PARK (KOR) 68-70-75-70, Hyungjoon LEE (KOR) 70-69-72-72, Keith HORNE (RSA) 68-69-74-72, Simon YATES (SCO) 72-69-66-76.
284 – Hongtaek KIM (KOR) 71-73-71-69, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 72-73-71-68, Sungho LEE (KOR) 71-71-72-70, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-73-67-74.
285 – Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 75-70-68-72, Berry HENSON (USA) 75-70-68-72, Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 70-75-68-72, Inhoi HUR (KOR) 74-68-70-73.
For full results, download here.
