Choi Sang-Ho, who won the tournament in 1983, led the tournament on the first day with a spotless 6-under-par 66, no bogey, together with the Honam Open winner Kang Ok-Soon(35, Samsung Electronics-Bridgestone) on September 9 at the Hanyang Country Club New Course(par 72, 6374m) in Goyang city, Gyunggi-Do.
Finishing 3rd, only one stroke behind the winner during the Shinhan Donghae Open, which took place at the Jaeil Country Club in Ansan city, Gyunggi-Do on September 1, Choi had a fresh start with a 1-meter uphill birdie putt after a two-on at the second hole(par 5, 483m), the right-side dog-leg hole.
Choi continued on his smooth shots like the 3m downhill hook-line birdie putt at the sixth hole where the OB area on the left of the fairway makes players difficult to approach the green. During the second half from the 12th, Choi birdied four-straight holes to a 6-under, getting closer to another win since his last in 1996 at the Youngnam Open.
In the meanwhile, Kang Ok-Soon and Shin Yong-Jin, who both won one tournament each, the Pocari-Sweat Open(Purse: 250 million won) and Honam Open(Purse: 200 million won), shot 6-under 66 this day, looking for a second win of the season.
Spotlighted by many, Sergio Garcia(22, Spain) proved he was getting used to the Korean green with a 3m eagle putt at the sixth hole scoring 5-under 67 and tying on 5th-place with Anthony Kang(30, Ryu Golf).
Choi Kyung-Ju(32, Superior) had a slow start with a bogey-bogey, but came back with three birdies in a row at the last three holes, and sought to enter into the top tier.
Sergio Garcia, Europe's 'rising star', shot 7-under 65 at the Hanyang Country Club New Course in Goyang city, Gyunggi-Do on the second day of the tournament on September 6. He lead the tournament one stroke ahead of Kang Ok-Soon (35, Samsung Electronics-Bridgestone), who followed Garcia in 2nd place with a total of 12-under 132.
With his razor-sharp approach shots, Garcia came closer to winning the Korean national title tournament with 7 birdies and no bogeys. 'This is the first time I play in Korea, but it is no different from playing abroad,' said Garcia. 'I am satisfied with my consistent play today and am looking forward to getting a good result if I continue to do as I did,' he added.
Meanwhile, Choi Kyung-Ju(32, Superior), who is the first Korean to win the PGA tour, shot a bogey and 7 birdies to score 6-under 66 creating a spectacular match between himself and Garcia for the past 3 days.
On this day, Choi struggled with his mid iron shots, but showed some skills from the home of golf with fine chip shots and putts which led to 3 straight birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th hole. 'Garcia is offering bold shots for the fans, but may play more cautiously in order to win the tournament from tomorrow. There is a lot to learn from a top-ranked player like Garcia,' added Choi, being considerate of his competitor.
Kang Ok-Soon, 'the Korean pride', who led the tournament on the first day with 6-under 66, proved he did not get intimidated with some bold shots like the eagle on the 14th hole(par 5, 515m), and by cutting 5 strokes, he caught up to Garcia.
Also, Anthony Kang(30, Ryu golf) and Kevin Na(29) both scored 6-under 138 coming to the 4th place while 'the Busan Seagull' Shin Yong-Jin(38, LG Daks Fashion) put his name on the 9th place along with Park Nam-Shin(43).
Kang Ok-Soon shot 7 birdies and a bogey to finish the 3rd day of the 45th Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship(purse: 500 million won), which took place at the Hanyang Country Club New Course(par 72, 6374m), 6-under 66 scoring a total 17-under 199 chasing Garcia by a stroke in 2nd place.
However, the winner of this year's Mercedes Championship Sergio Garcia, showing a top-class performance, shot a 6-under 66 scoring 18-under 198, competing with Korea's top golfer Kang Ok-Soon for the green jacket.
Kang shot straight birdies from the relatively long 2nd hole (par 5, 483m) cutting 4 strokes only in the first nine holes. He seemed to lose control with a bogey on the right side dog-leg 12th hole (par 4, 392m), but shot a birdie with a close-to hole-in-one tee on the 15th hole (par 3, 167m), which has a deep bunker, while Garcia only parred distancing himself by 3 strokes. Then, Kang birdied again on the 18th hole (par 4, 356m), where Garcia bogeyed, chasing him by a stroke.
Meanwhile, Park Nam-Shin, 'the master of iron shot', winning 20 tournaments so far, performed outstandingly shooting a single bogey and a breathtaking 9 birdies finishing with a 8-under 64 and scoring 13-under 203 placing himself on the 3rd place.
However, Choi Kyung-Ju(32, Superior), who aimed at winning after 3 years, struggled with a double bogey after a driver shot on the right OB area on the 2nd hole(par 5, 483m), then missing a short par putt on the 3rd hole(par 4, 313m).
Choi straggled at the 6th place, shooting 1-over 73 scoring 8-under 208.
Garica Wins by Breaking Korea's 72-Hole Lowest Stroke Total Record!
Sergio Garcia, who shot 62 strokes in the 4th round in the WGC-American Express Championship which is one of this year's PGA tour, won the tournament by breaking Korea's 72-hole lowest stroke total record - 22-under - by a stroke established by 'the Busan Seagull' Shin Yong-Jin at last year's 44th Lance Field Korea Pro Golf Championship.
Garcia won the 100 million won at the 45th Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship (Purse: 5 million won), which took place at the Hanyang Country Club New Course in Goyang city, Gyunggi-Do on September 8, shooting 5-under 67(6 birdies, 1 bogey) at the final round scoring 23-under 265, 3 strokes ahead of 'Korea's Top Star' Kang Ok-Soon (35, Samsung Electronics-Bridgestone).
This 23-under 265 record broke that of the defending champion Kim Dae-Seop's (21, SungKyunKwan Univ.) last year's 16-under 272 lowest stroke total by 7 strokes.
Kang Ok-Soon tried to catch up with Garcia shooting two birdies on the 15th and 16th hole, but failed to reduce the gap, handing over the victory to Garcia.
However, Kang shot 3-under 69 with 5 birdies and 2 bogeys this day scoring 20-under 268 total placing himself 2nd of the tournament. He won an additional 50 million won prize money, ranking himself no.1 against Park Do-Kyu (32, Taylormade), 36th place in this tournament. 'The Viper on the Green' Choi Kwang-Su (42, Kolon Elord), 'the Master of Iron' Park Nam-Shin (43) and 'the Field's Stallion' Kim Jong-Deok(41, Living Toy) all scored 13-under 275 on the 3rd place. After the game 'I did my best and I have no regrets.
I learned a lot from Garcia the past two days. His long driving distance and flawless putts tell why he is a top player,' said Kang, accepting his defeat like a professional.
Choi Kyung-Ju(32, Superior-Taylormade) shot 1-over 73 on the previous day, distancing himself from the prize, shot 3-under 69 (4 birdies, 1 bogey) scoring 11-under 277 total.
He sat on the 7th place along with Jeon Tae-Hyun (35, JeonShin YangHaeng) and Ishikaki Satoshi (Japan) and donated all of his prize money (15.9 million won) to the Flood Relief Fund.