Choi applauds Tiger's artistry after losing lead
Source: Agencies |
December 4, 2011, Sunday
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SOUTH Korean K.J. Choi described Tiger Woods as an artist after relinquishing his overnight lead to the American former world No. 1 in the Chevron World Challenge in California on Friday.
Choi had been three strokes clear at the start of a breezy day in the Santa Monica Mountains but he ended it three adrift of his playing partner Woods, who carded a 5 under-par 67 that was, at times, brilliant.
"To put it simply, today he played like an artist," Choi told reporters about Woods after being outscored by six shots. "He really played well. It's pretty clear that he's really recovered and is back in his old form again. He missed a few putts, but it was really good to see him play well."
While Woods recorded two eagles and five birdies on the way to matching the day's best score, Choi battled after the turn en route to a 73 and a tie for second with American Matt Kuchar at 5-under 139. The 41-year-old Korean, renowned for his ability to cope with windy conditions due to his low ball flight, frequently misjudged club selection on the hillier back nine in gusts of up to 32.2kph.
At the par-three 15th, he hit successive balls into the water guarding the front of the green before running up an ugly quadruple-bogey that dropped him four shots behind Woods.
"I wasn't on my top form today," said Choi, an eight-times winner on the PGA Tour. "Not that that's an excuse, but I didn't really have a good sleep last night. I really struggled, especially on the back nine.
"I think it was really misjudgment on the wind on the tee shots. I just wasn't really feeling all that great, but the good thing about it is that I'm still in it and just need to get a lot of rest today."
Choi was relieved that two more rounds remained in the elite event that brings together just 18 players. "My body is a little fatigued right now and I just need to get my condition back," he said.
Choi had been three strokes clear at the start of a breezy day in the Santa Monica Mountains but he ended it three adrift of his playing partner Woods, who carded a 5 under-par 67 that was, at times, brilliant.
"To put it simply, today he played like an artist," Choi told reporters about Woods after being outscored by six shots. "He really played well. It's pretty clear that he's really recovered and is back in his old form again. He missed a few putts, but it was really good to see him play well."
While Woods recorded two eagles and five birdies on the way to matching the day's best score, Choi battled after the turn en route to a 73 and a tie for second with American Matt Kuchar at 5-under 139. The 41-year-old Korean, renowned for his ability to cope with windy conditions due to his low ball flight, frequently misjudged club selection on the hillier back nine in gusts of up to 32.2kph.
At the par-three 15th, he hit successive balls into the water guarding the front of the green before running up an ugly quadruple-bogey that dropped him four shots behind Woods.
"I wasn't on my top form today," said Choi, an eight-times winner on the PGA Tour. "Not that that's an excuse, but I didn't really have a good sleep last night. I really struggled, especially on the back nine.
"I think it was really misjudgment on the wind on the tee shots. I just wasn't really feeling all that great, but the good thing about it is that I'm still in it and just need to get a lot of rest today."
Choi was relieved that two more rounds remained in the elite event that brings together just 18 players. "My body is a little fatigued right now and I just need to get my condition back," he said.
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