Choi Kyoung-ju, seen hitting out of a bunker in this file photo, is seeking his first title at the Masters, which begins Thursday in Augusta, Ga. / Korea Times File
Korean Golf Standout Expects to Contend for Masters Title



By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter

Despite a confessed fondness for playing at Augusta National, South Korean golf standout Choi Kyoung-ju has no title to show for it after five Masters tries.

The 38-year-old, whose best Masters showing was a third-place finish in 2004, is confident of getting the job done this time around, although none other than perhaps the greatest golfer of all time just might get in the way.

Choi, the top Asian in the world rankings at sixth, enters his sixth Masters Thursday night (Korean standard time), teeing off in a group that includes two-time champion Phil Mickelson and Andres Romero of Argentina.

It's hard to hear anybody talk about Choi or any other golfer not named Tiger Woods, the world's No. 1 player who goes into the tournament focused on a bid to become the first man ever to win all four of golf's major tournaments in a single calendar year.

However, Choi, in his own lust for the Green Jacket, would take pleasure in having Woods wait on his grand aspirations a little longer.

Choi, who won the Sony Open in January and finished 11th after a disastrous start in last week's Houston Open, has maintained a superb form in recent months to put himself in the mix of contenders in the season's first major tournament.

``If I ever win a major tournament, I think it would be the Masters," Choi told South Korean reporters last month.

``There is something about Augusta that inspires confidence in me. I still have the memories of 2004, and I think I am playing at the top of my game."

Although Choi's comments seem to be genuine, it would be hard to argue that the Augusta National, a massive 7,445-yard course with notoriously fast greens, is an ideal venue for his game. The course's narrow ruffs also tends to favor long drivers, which is disturbing for Choi, who, despite his ``Tank" nickname, is never confused as a power player.

Choi, banking on his accurate iron play and prowess on the greens, has been putting an emphasis on controlling low shots during practice.

With Woods, who is drawn with Australian Stuart Appleby and reigning U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, continuing his streak of excellence in the sport, anybody other than him winning the tournament would be considered somewhat of an upset.

Choi finds another likely contender in his playing partner Mickelson, whose two Masters wins in the past five years are one more than what Woods achieved.

Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk are some other usual suspects, while Geoff Ogilvy, who edged out Woods at the CA Championship in Florida last month, and Englishman Justin Rose, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, also represent strong bids.

thkim@koreatimes.co.kr