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HONOLULU, Hawaii: South Korea’s K.J. Choi saved his
best for last on Sunday, nabbing his only birdie of the day at 18 to
complete his wire-to-wire victory in the $5.3-million Sony Open.
Choi, who started the day with a
four-shot lead, posted a one-over-par 71 in windy weather at Waialea
Country Club.
He had two bogeys and finished
the week at 14-under 266, becoming the first wire-to-wire winner
here since Brad Faxon in 2001.
Choi, who claimed his seventh US
PGA Tour title, was three strokes ahead of South African Rory
Sabbatini, who posted a 68 11-under 269. American Jerry Kelly was
third, a further shot back on 270.
“Today was very, very tough,”
Choi said. “Every shot was different with the change in the
wind.”
“I was just trying to hit safe
second shots all day,” he said. “It was a little bit of a tough
start, but it was a good finish. I am very happy today.”
The victory marked the fifth time
in five attempts that Choi has gone on to win after holding the
third-round lead.
Sabbatini closed within two shots
of Choi, but two bogeys and a double-bogey spelled the end of his
challenge.
Steve Stricker, Pat Perez, Steve
Marino and Kevin Na shared fourth on eight-under.
--AFP
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