The Golf Watch

What you missed in the golf world if you were still eating turkey...

Stephen Ames couldn't pull off the hat trick at the LG Skins Game, and all in all, that was probably best for the tournament.  K.J. Choi won the competition with an 11-foot birdie putt on the final hole, finishing ahead of Ames, Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate.  Altogether, Choi earned $415,000. 

If you live on the East Coast, you probably had to stay up until the wee hours of the morning if you wanted to catch the World Cup in China.  I have always found the tournament to be entertaining.  If you're not familiar with the format, 28 two-player teams from 28 countries compete for the prize.  Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker represented the American team, but couldn't keep up with the likes of Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, as the Swedes locked up the title.

A leaner, fitter K.J. Choi

K.J. Choi dropped 17 pounds in the past two months due to some back problems, and he looks fitter than ever.  We've seen Choi contend at major championships before.  This could be his year...

Choi and Harrington commit to first European Tour golf tournament in South Korea

For the first time in European Tour history, a golf tournament will be played in South Korea, and Padraig Harrington and K.J. Choi have committed to play in the event, according to a CNN.com article.  The Ballantines Championship is a $2.9 million event and will be played from March 13-16.  Harrington and Choi's committment is a big step for a tournament that needs to get off to a strong start to ensure that the European Tour will come back in the future.  Both players are ranked in the top-10 in the world. 

Choi holds off Sabbatini, wins 7th PGA Tour event

K.J. Choi's first birdie of the day didn't come until the 18th hole, but after three days of strong play, it didn't matter.  Choi carded a 1-over 71 on a windy final round at the Sony Open to capture his 7th PGA Tour title at 14-under-par.  Only eight players managed to break par in Honolulu due to strong winds that gusted as high as 30 mph.  Rory Sabbatini, who captalized on the windy conditions due to his ability to effectively play low trajectory shots, had the opportunity to catch Choi, but was unable to capitalize on several makeable birdie putts coming down the stretch, and finished three shots out of the lead at 11-under-par.  Choi certainly put to rest any doubt that he is one of the best golfers in the world.  Tim Rosaforte said on the Sprint Post Game on The Golf Channel, "I don’t know how somebody number nine in the world could be underrated and under the radar, but I thought that was K.J. Choi before this primetime performance. I know he won at Tiger’s place, I know he won at Jack’s place, but I think this is the next step for him."  The question going into the major season is: Is KJ Choi the best player not to have won a major?

Choi continues to dominate at Sony

It was another impressive day for 6-time PGA Tour winner K.J. Choi at the Sony Open on Saturday.  Choi fired a 4-under 66 and increased his lead to four strokes at 15-under-par over Q-School grad Tim Wilkinson.  Wilkinson, who is playing in only his third PGA Tour event, fired the lowest round of the week, an 8-under 62, and jumped up the leaderboard to second place.  With such a big lead though, Choi is almost guaranteed to capture his first Sony Open title.  Tim Rosaforte said the following about Choi on the Sprint Post Game: "How do you stop a runaway tank? You don’t.  Tiger Woods last year told me at the BMW Championship this guy can squat a car.  Well, right now he is bench pressing the field in Hawaii on his way to another runaway victory."  Choi will tee off tomorrow at 6:15 pm ET. 

Choi grabs first round lead in Honolulu after poor showing at Kapalua

After a poor showing last week at the Mercedes-Benz Championship where he finished in a T-28 with a field of 31 players, K.J. Choi proved that he is still one of the top golfers in the world, after firing a 6-under 64 earlier today at the Sony Open in Hawaii, giving him the first round lead.  Nationwide Tour grad Jimmy Walker had the lead for most of the day at 5-under-par, but a Choi birdie on the par-5 18th gave him the outright lead at 6-under.  Choi attributed the solid round to good timing and keeping the ball in play. 

Choi beats Furyk overseas

K.J. Choi captured the Shinhan Donghae Open earlier today in Korea, ousting American rival Jim Furyk, who finished in third.  This is the first time Choi has won a Korean tournament since the SK Telecom Open in 2005.  Choi said in The Korea Times, "It's a difficult golf course, and I had not been expecting to win this tournament. My shot was off a little bit today, but I tried to stay focused and took one hole at a time, and not try to do something special. I managed to be just good enough."  The win for Choi is his third this year (Memorial and AT&T National).

Rosaforte: Choi will play in BMW Championship

Tim Rosaforte reported on Golf Central Primetime Saturday night that K.J. Choi will play in next week's BMW Championship.  Choi withdrew from the Deutsche Bank Championship on Friday, citing lower back pain that stems from earlier in the season at the Bay Hill.  "He just wants to be healthy for Chicago and then the Tour Championship," said Rosaforte, who added that Choi was considering skipping the Deutsche Bank before the tournament started, but wanted to try and play in all four FedEx Cup events. 

Choi withdraws after 2-over 73

K.J. Choi withdrew from the Deutsche Bank Championship earlier today after shooting a 2-over-par 73.  Rich Lerner of The Golf Channel said Choi withdrew due to some lower back pain.  Choi is ranked second in the FedEx Cup standings and will most definitely move back in the standings after this week.   

Choi shoots 5-under 66 to take second round lead at Barclays

K.J. Choi fired a second-round 5-under 66 earlier today, leaving him at 12-under-par overall with a two stroke lead over Rich Beem.  Choi had one eagle, four birdies, and one bogey on his scorecard.  Several weeks ago, Choi said that if he wins the FedEx Cup and the 10 million dollar first prize, he will  donate all of the money to charity.  With a win this week at the Barclays, Choi could jump up to number one in the FedEx Cup standings.  He is currently fifth.