Golf

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Hoi polloi fall back of Choi as Korean fires great round

By: Chris Jenkins

Posted: 07/8/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Na Yeon Choi and her caddy seem to have a difference of opinion over which way this putt will break on the 13th green on Saturday. (JEFFREY PHELPS / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Enlarge Image

Michelle Wie fell off the pace with a six-over 78 in Round 3. (JULIE JACOBSON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

KOHLER, Wis. -- Na Yeon Choi was just a kid when Se Ri Pak won the U.S. Women's Open at Blackwolf Run in 1998.

Today, Choi is living proof that Pak's landmark victory 14 years ago really did have the power to inspire girls in South Korea to try to make it in professional golf. And after posting one of the best rounds in Open history, Choi is poised to repeat Pak's feat in the same event at the same course.

Choi shot a 7-under 65 on Saturday in the third round at Blackwolf Run, taking control of the tournament.

"I couldn't believe how I got eight birdies today," Choi said. "But I did. And I'm very happy, and I'm very satisfied and I'm very excited."

The fifth-ranked South Korean star's remarkable round put her at 8 under for the tournament, giving her a six-stroke lead over fellow South Korean Amy Yang. Only four players ever have posted a lower round in the Open, and the 65 tied the lowest third-round score in the event's history.

As Choi surged despite windy conditions, Michelle Wie faded, shooting a 6-over 78 to fall to 2 over. Wie shot a 66 in the second round and came into the day a stroke behind second-round leader Suzann Pettersen.

Lorie Kane of Charlottetown ballooned to an 82, and is 15 over par.

"It was a lot of fun being in contention," Wie said. "I'm still not out of it. Don't count me out just yet."

Pettersen also shot 78 on Saturday and slid to 1 over, but still hoped to get back into contention.

"You know what, there's birdies out there," she said. "I think the wind is going to be a little bit less tomorrow from what I've seen. So if you get off to a hot start, hopefully put a number down early in the clubhouse. Who knows?"

Yang had a 69. Choi and Yang were the only players to break 70 in the round.

"I'm just going to keep being patient tomorrow, try to do my best," Yang said.

Lexi Thompson, Mika Miyazato and Sandra Gal were tied for third at 1 under. Thompson had a 72, Miyazato shot 73, and Gal had a 74.

"Seven under at an Open is pretty good, I would say," Thompson said about Choi's round. "So she's leading by a good amount, but I'm still going to go for it."

Choi has five career LPGA Tour victories. She tied for second in the 2010 U.S. Women's Open.

And she credits Pak for helping to inspire those accomplishments.

Choi recalls watching the 1998 Open on television. At the time, she said she already was thinking about trying to make it as a golfer in South Korea -- but when Pak won, her conceptions of what might possible changed dramatically.

"I changed my goal: 'I have to go to the LPGA Tour and I want to win on the LPGA Tour,"' Choi said.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 8, 2012 B12

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Golf

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.