K J Choi marks return to Asia with

victory in Iskandar Johor Open

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Asian Tour honorary member K J Choi of Korea celebrated his return to Asia with a deserved victory at the weather interrupted US$1 million Iskandar Johor Open at Johor Bahru Malaysia today.
Choi posted a third round score of eight-under-par 64 for a three-day total of 20-under-par 196 at the full field Asian Tour event that was reduced to a 54-hole stroke play tournament due to inclement weather.
Chapchai Nirat of Thailand took second place after delighting the galleries gathered at the Royal Johor Country Club with three amazing chip-ins on the 15th, 17th and 18th holes.
Defending champion Retief Goosen of South Africa signed off with a superb 62 to take a share of third position alongside overnight leader Himmat Rai of India who closed with a 70 for a three-day total of 201 at the final round that was suspended for two hours due to thunderstorms.
Choi spun his words into gold when he held true to his word of a career revival in Johor. He did not take long to prove his point when he fired three consecutive birdies in his opening three holes before adding another two on the sixth and seventh holes to make the turn in 31.
The Korean went on to post further birdies on holes 11, 12 and 18 to return with a blemish free scorecard courtesy of an amazing par save on the 15th after his tee-off shot found the water.
Choi recovered remarkably when he managed to hole his chip from 10 yards to save par.
“I was not really concerned about my shot on the 15th hole. Even if I had made a bogey, I knew that the next few holes were difficult holes and I had some space between Himmat so I kept myself calm and it helped with the way I played,” said Choi who bagged US$158,500 for his victory.
Choi’s victory marked a happy homecoming for the Korean as he previously sharpened his skills on the Asian Tour before turning his attention to the US PGA Tour where he has won seven titles.
“It is not easy to win on the Asian Tour. The depth of talent of the players here is very deep. If you do not manage yourself and your game, you cannot win out here. For me to win my first Asian Tour title outside of Korea is a testament of how difficult it is to play here,” said Choi who will be heading to the lucrative Barclays Singapore Open next week.
Chapchai was delighted to finish in second and he credited his tee shots for his second place finish.
“I was very lucky especially with the three chip-ins. I was struggling with my putting the entire year but after this tournament I felt that it has improved. My tee shots also worked well as I was able to find 10 fairways,” said Chapchai who wrote his name into the record books with a 32-under-par winning total at the SAIL Open in India .
FOR MORE INFORMATION
website www.iskandarjohoropen.com.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
196 K J Choi (KOR) 68-64-64
200 Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-65-66
201 Retief Goosen (RSA) 69-70-62, Himmat Rai ( IND ) 64-67-70
204 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 72-68-64, Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 66-69-69
205 Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 70-68-67, Mars Pucay (PHI) 69-65-71
206 Anirban Lahiri (IND) 69-69-68, Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 69-69-68, Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 69-68-69, Tim Stewart (AUS) 69-73-64, Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 65-68-73
Darren Beck (AUS) 68-64-74
207 Rahil Gangjee ( IND ) 69-67-71
208 Chris Rodgers (ENG) 70-68-70, Jason Norris (AUS) 72-65-71
209 Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 70-70-69, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-70-69