K.J. Choi blazes Carnoustie’s Back 9 to capture Senior Open, 1st major title

Fifty-four-year-old K.J. Choi decimated Carnoustie’s back nine to pull away from the field and win the Senior Open with ease.

Early in Sunday’s final round, it looked like 54-hole leader K.J. Choi would cough away The Senior Open—similar to how his commanding lead evaporated on Saturday thanks to back-to-back double bogies late in his round.

But the 54-year-old South Korean, who won the 2011 Players Championship, settled in after making three bogeys over his first six holes. He played his final 12 holes in 5-under par to win the Senior Open by two over Australia’s Richard Green at Carnoustie.

“It’s unbelievable, today’s game [that I played],” Choi said after his win.

“I started very nervous but still kept my attention. [Later], I felt better working; there was more fire, and the swing was more comfortable.”

Choi’s momentum began to swing in his direction at the par-4 9th, where he made his first birdie of the day. Another par-breaker at 10 followed, and suddenly, Choi had steadied himself and re-gained a share of the lead at 7-under with Green.

But the tournament was decided on holes 12 through 14, where Choi made his move.

At the par-5 12th, Choi made an easy birdie, while Green bounced back with a birdie of his own after bogeying the par-4 11th. But then Choi stuck it close on the par-3 13th, nearly dropping it in for an ace, which got him to 9-under for the championship.

Green, meanwhile, found the putting surface, but inexplicably three-putted thanks to a miss from about 18 inches, dropping him back to 6-under and three back of Choi.

On the very next hole, the par-5 14th, Choi’s second shot scooted past the pot bunker that sits short and left of the green and settled 20 feet away for an eagle. Choi then drained it, giving himself an insurmountable lead with four holes to play as the tournament was all but his.

“Every [hole], it’s very difficult, fighting the wind and the bunkers, it’s not enjoyable. But [I stayed] patient on every hole,” Choi explained.

“[I was] nervous in the final round], but either way, every day, I prayed a lot, [telling myself], ‘Please, be patient.’

That he did, and Choi’s patience paid off as he captured the first senior major of his career.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.