Choi picks up 2nd win at Hana Bank KOLON
By SHANE HAHM
INCHEON, South Korea (AP) - Na Yeon Choi made birdie at the last
hole for a 5-under 67 on Sunday, giving her a one-shot victory over
Maria Hjorth and Yani Tseng at the Hana Bank KOLON Championships.
Choi and Hjorth played in the same group and were tied heading
to 18, where they both hit nice tee shots to the left side of the
fairway. Hjorth hit a 4-iron into a water hazzard, while Choi laid
up in front of the green.
The Swede manage to save par, while Choi chipped within inches
for the tap-in birdie.
She finished at 10-under 278 at Sky 72 Golf Club's Ocean Course,
where the LPGA was making its annual tour stop in South Korea. Choi
won the Samsung World Championships in September in similar
fashion, with an eagle at the par-5 last hole.
``This time I was able to play the last hole comfortably,'' Choi
said. ``I went in thinking birdie.''
Tseng, who contended with the leaders most of the round, also
made birdie on the final hole to claim a share of second place.
Ran Hong, who mainly plays on the Korean LPGA Tour, shot a
3-under 69 to finish four strokes off the lead, one ahead of
Song-Hee Kim (71). Jiyai Shin of South Korea finished with a 70 to
finish in alone in sixth, done in by a 6-over 78 in the third
round.
American Brittany Lang, Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, and South
Koreans Se Ri Pak and Inbee Park rounded finished at 2 under 286.
Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa closed with a final-round 73 to end at
6-over, tied for 44th.
Choi donned traditional Korean attire during her trophy
presentation, as is customary for winners of the tournament.
``I take pride in winning for Korea this week,'' Choi said.
The LPGA Tour swings to Japan and Mexico before closing with the
inaugural Tour Championship in Houston.
11/01/09 13:58
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