[Golf Topic] 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju's Playoff Loss "Senior Tour First Win Was Close"

Choi Kyung-ju is disappointed as his putt misses in the playoff on the final day of the Champions Tour Sanford International. Spoles (USA) = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist] ○..."Just 2% short."

'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom) missed his first win on the PGA Champions (Senior) Tour. On the 20th (Korean time), at the Minnehaha Golf Course in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA (par 70, 6,729 yards), during the final round of the Sanford International (total prize money $1.8 million), he added one under par to maintain a tie for the lead (12 under par, 198 strokes), but fell short at the second hole of the playoff on the 18th hole (par 4) against Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland) and Steve Flesch (USA).

It was especially disappointing since Choi Kyung-ju started the day with a two-stroke lead after shooting seven under par on the first day. The eight-time PGA Tour winner has been competing on the Champions Tour, which is for players aged 50 and over, since last year. This year, he has shown signs of adaptation, finishing in the top 10 five times in 14 events. For now, he is satisfied with his best performance on the Champions Tour. Clarke secured his third win of the season, with a winner's prize of $270,000 (approximately 320 million KRW).