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Sunday's victory broke a 12-year drought on his
home tour for Choi, who won eight titles on the PGA Tour between
2002 and 2011 and was heading straight back to Texas on Monday
to resume life on the U.S. senior tour.
Choi started the final day at Pinx Golf Club with a five-shot
lead that was whittled down through the day, and a bogey at the
last meant he was forced into a playoff with Park Sang-hyun.
The 2011 Players' Championship winner thought his hopes of a
fourth SK Telecom Open and 17th KPGA title had sunk in the
greenside water at the first playoff hole.
"I thought my second shot had gone into the water, but seeing
the gallery's reaction made me feel like the ball might still be
alive," Choi told reporters on the holiday island of Jeju.
"The ball was on a small island. The shot I took there, the
'island shot', is something I will never forget. I really wanted
to win this tournament."
Choi punched the ball off the rocky island and onto the green
with a wedge to rescue par, which he matched on the second
playoff hole to clinch the title as Park slumped to a bogey.
Asked for any suggestions for middle-aged golfers, Choi
recommended that they follow the lifestyle changes he has made
in recent years.
"First of all, you need to eat well and quit drinking," he said.
"And you need to sleep well. You should never do anything that
is harmful to your body. Regular exercise is also necessary."
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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