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‘ CHOI ’ IS THE REAL CHAMPION
Choi Hosung
�orea ’ s 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 . 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 threehole 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 . Choi ’ s �nal round two-under-par 69 not only con�rmed 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 fastcharging Sanghyun had earlier surmounted a late challenge when he stormed towards the �nishing 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-�fth �nish .
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 .
Choi ’ s father suffered a stroke in 2006 and is half-paralysed . His father played a key role in his career .
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 .
GolfPlus JULY 2018 25