Choi Kyung-ju "I am the First Korean Senior Champion"

Champions Tour Pure Insurance Championship Final Day 4-Under Par '2-Stroke Victory', Langer and Cheka Tied for 2nd Place

Choi Kyung-ju is smiling brightly while holding the trophy immediately after winning the Champions Tour Pure Insurance Championship. Pebble Beach, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Tank’ Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom) has triumphed in the PGA Champions (Senior) Tour.

On the 27th (Korean time), at the Pebble Beach Golf Links (par 72) in Monterey, California, USA, the final day of the Pure Insurance Championship (total prize money $2.2 million) saw him reduce 4 strokes to claim victory by 2 strokes (13 under par 203). He became the first Korean to top the Champions Tour, earning a winner's prize of $330,000 (38 million KRW). This victory also wiped away the disappointment of finishing second last week at the Sanford International after a playoff battle.

Choi Kyung-ju started with a 2-stroke lead and recorded 5 birdies and 1 bogey. His concentration was evident as he made his first birdie on the 2nd hole (par 5) and then four consecutive birdies from the 5th to the 8th holes, reducing 5 strokes in the front nine. Although he lost a stroke on the 14th hole (par 5) in the back nine, he maintained par on the remaining 4 holes to secure the win. His fairway hit rate of 92.86% and greens in regulation of 83.33% stood out. Additionally, his putting average of 1.73 putts per hole demonstrated his ‘stingy putting’.

Choi Kyung-ju is a symbol of Korean men's golf. He debuted on the PGA Tour in 2000 and recorded his first win at the 2002 Compaq Classic. He has accumulated 8 PGA Tour wins, including the 2011 Players Championship, known as the ‘fifth major,’ holding the record for the most wins by an Asian player. His strength lies in his diligence, to the extent that there is a saying, "He lives in the sand when practicing bunker shots." Since last year, he has been competing on the Champions Tour for players aged 50 and over.

"It was not easy as I competed with many formidable players," said Choi Kyung-ju. "I have played on this course several times, but today is the happiest day," he cheered. He will return to Korea immediately to participate in the KPGA Korean Tour Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational, which opens on the 30th in Yeoju. Bernhard Langer and Alex Cejka (both from Germany) tied for second place (11 under par 205).