Choi's patience pays off at World Cup of Golf

Melbourne, Nov 21 (IANS) Korea’s K.J. Choi was rewarded for his patience as an opening four-under-par 67 put him one shot behind co-leaders Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and American Kevin Streelman at the $8 million World Cup of Golf here on Thursday.

The 43-year-old, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour, missed a short par putt on the 18th green at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club to settle for a share of third place in the individual category which is offering $7 million in prize money.

With countryman Bae Sang-moon struggling with a homeward 40 and a 74, Korea was placed tied fourth with a combined first round 141, four shots behind American duo Streelman and Matt Kuchar.

Choi’s best finish at the World Cup was a tied third with Hur Suk-ho in 2002 and the Korean is aiming to lift the individual and team titles. Six birdies and two bogeys gave him the perfect start at the magnificent Royal Melbourne which yielded only 13 under-par rounds.

“My goal today was a couple under par which would have been very good but four under par, I’m so very impressed. I was more patient on the greens and aimed for two putts, but the last hole bogey is very unusual, just (missed by) one inch,” said Choi, who needed 28 putts throughout his round.