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Korean golfer Choi Kyung-ju, widely known as K. J. Choi, won the inaugural U.S. PGA AT&T National on Sunday.
After missing first place by just two strokes on Saturday, Choi moved into the fourth round with a cool head and shot a two-under par for the day. He finally grabbed the trophy by closing the game at a nine-under-par 271.
Tiger Woods, the event's host and the world's reigning king of golf, presented Choi with a siver trophy in the shape of the U.S. Capitol building. Choi also took home US$1.08 million in prize money.
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Tiger Woods (R) of the U.S. gives Choi Kyung-ju of Korea the trophy after Choi won the AT&T National PGA golf tournament at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland on Sunday./REUTERS
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What were your secrets to winning?
I¡¯d like to say they were God and putting. I prayed as I prepared for every single shot, and my putts were a lot more stable than I expected. Thanks to those stable putts, I was able to hit some convenient shots.
It was very difficult to play the 10th and 11th holes. I expected to bogey at either one, but ended up I bogeying on both. That made me a little frustrated but I was relieved after birdieing at the 12th.
What did you say to Tiger Woods when you received the trophy?
I told him -- half in jest -- to give me some tips for bunker shots. I once asked Woods which club I should use for bunker shots since he and I both use Nike clubs. I've been using a wedge he recommended since the Memorial Tournament and it feels good.
This year you've won two games hosted by former and current golf kings -- the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament on June 3 and the AT&T National Hosted by Tiger Woods on Sunday. How does that feel?
I can't really express in words how happy I am. I played an unbelievable game. Given the atmosphere with the gallery and the media, the players were bound to be intimidated. But I wasn't intimidated at all. I hit every shot I wanted. Hard practice seem to yield results. I plan to keep practicing to maintain my reputation as a two-time winner in the PGA.
Several Koreans gathered to cheer you on. Did that help you win?
I saw the biggest Korean gallery since my debut in the PGA. That was great support for me. I really appreciate their support. The victory is not mine, but ours. We are all winners.
It's been a long time since you quit smoking.
Since I quit smoking I've been able to drive an extra 20 to 30 yards. Scores decide the success or failure of golfers. As I've been making better scores since I quit smoking, I don't want to smoke again.
What's next?
I'm planning to go to Scotland on Thursday to prepare for the British Open. And actually I've put a lot of effort into preparing for the Presidents Cup, so I'm glad that I'm automatically qualified to play in the Presidents Cup since I won the AT&T National.
Even though I won another PGA event, there's still a lot of room left for me to improve my game. I want to play better for my fans by getting better. I also want to be the first Asian to win a major PGA event.
You wear golf shoes and carry a bag with the Taeguki, the national flag of Korea. Even your caddie wears a jacket that says "Choi" and has the Taeguki.
Because I'm proud of my motherland, Korea.
(After Choi won the event, the organizers of the AT&T National hung up a large Taeguki at the venue of the winner's ceremony.)
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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