Choi picks up 2nd win at Hana Bank KOLON
Na Yeon Choi shot a 5-under-par 67 in front of her home fans to claim her second career victory Sunday on the final hole of the 2009 Hana Bank KOLON Championships.
Choi tapped in on the 18th hole to finish at 10-under and claim a one stroke victory over Sweden's Maria Hjorth and Yani Tseng of Taiwan.
The players contended with windy conditions at Sky 72 Golf Club's Ocean Course for the LPGA's annual tour stop in South Korea.
Choi won the Samsung World Championships in September with an eagle after sharing the lead into the final par-5 hole. The 22-year-old faced a similar situation on Sunday, but this time she wasn't nervous.
"This time I was able to play the last hole comfortably," Choi said. "I went in thinking 'birdie."'
Choi and three-time Tour winner Hjorth stood at the 18th tee paired in the same group and tied for the lead at 9-under. But after both hit nice tee shots to the left of the fairway, Hjorth stiffed a 226-yard 4-iron into a water hazard, while Choi laid up nicely in front of the green.
Hjorth took a drop and managed to save par, while the Korean chipped her third shot to just inches of the cup.
Tseng, who contended with the leaders for most of the round, made a birdie on the final hole to claim a share of second place.
Ran Hong, who mainly plays on the Korean LPGA Tour, shot a 69 to finish four strokes off the lead, one ahead of Song-Hee Kim (71).
LPGA Tour money leader Jiyai Shin of South Korea finished with a 2-under 70 to finish in lone 6th place, following Saturday's 6-over par round.
America's Brittany Lang, Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, and South Koreans Se Ri Pak and Inbee Park rounded out the top-10 at 2-under tied for 7th place.
Mexico's top-ranked Lorena Ochoa closed with a final-round 73 to end at 6-over, tied for 44th.
Choi donned traditional Korean attire during her trophy presentation, as is customary for winners of this tournament.
"I take pride in winning for Korea this week," said Choi, who now moves to 5th on the annual Tour money.
The LPGA Tour now swings to Japan and Mexico before closing with the inaugural Tour Championship in Houston, Texas.