Choi Grabs 2nd LPGA Win in Korea

By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter

Korean golfer Choi Na-yeon grabbed a second LPGA victory on home ground, Sunday.

Choi, who had five birdies without a bogey, won the Hana Bank Kolon Championship with a 10-under 206 at the Sky 72 Golf Club in Incheon.

``I am really happy to win in an LPGA tournament held in Korea,'' Choi said. ``I am especially proud to build the self-confidence of Korea.

``After I grabbed my first victory, everything changed. When I had the first win, I was very nervous. But now I am very comfortable. I learned from that,'' added Choi.

The 22-year-old Korean, who shared the lead with Yani Tseng at 5-under in the second round, continued her ascendancy in the final round, producing a birdie on the first hole and added two more on the fifth and seventh.

But she lost top spot to Maria Hjorth of Sweden with the latter hitting five birdies on the front nine.

Choi started the back nine one shot behind the leader up to the 14th hole. After birdying the 15th, she shared the lead.

The winner was decided on the final hole. While the South Korean put her second shot in front of the green, Hjorth sent hers into a bunker. Choi's approach landed 30 centimeters from the hole and she succeeded with an easy birdie putt

Choi, who won the LPGA Samsung World Championship in September, securing $220,500 in prize money, now moves from 10th to fifth in the money list earnings about $1.22 million in total.

Yani Tseng and Hjorth finished second at 9-under.

In the competition between season leader Shin Ji-yai of South Korea and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico, Shin was sixth with a 3-under 213. Ochoa ― complained about the spectator galleries and suffered amid flash photography ― finished 44th with a six-over 222.

Shin is ranked top in the player of the year, rookie of the year, money list and most wins contests.

yc@koreatimes.co.kr