Choi qualifies for Masters
Source: Agencies |
March 30, 2010, Tuesday
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KJ Choi and Louis Oosthuizen were among five players to move into the top 50 in the world rankings and earn a spot in the US Masters, which could have its largest field in 44 years.
Oosthuizen, the 27-year-old South African who lost a 54-hole lead a week ago in Morocco, won his first European Tour event on Sunday at the Andalucia Open in Spain. He earned enough points to move into the top 50.
Choi closed with a 1-over 73 and was tied for 17th in the Arnold Palmer Invitational when the final round was suspended by weather. Choi, who moved up to No. 48 with his runner-up finish a week ago at Innisbrook, will stay in the top 50.
"My first goal this year was to win," Choi said. "But anytime you go to Augusta National, it's good."
Augusta National takes the top 50 players in the world ranking. The only other way to qualify now is for someone not already eligible to win the Houston Open next week.
The other three players to qualify for the Masters through the world ranking are Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, Alvaro Quiros of Spain and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.
The invitations will not be official until the Arnold Palmer Invitational ends.
On the course, Ernie Els held a two-shot lead over Kevin Na when the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational was suspended by thunderstorms at Bay Hill on Sunday in Orlando, Florida.
Els had a five-shot lead with six holes to play and looked to be cruising toward his second straight victory until hitting into the water for a double bogey on the 13th and into the sand for a bogey on the next hole.
He was at 11-under par and on the 15th hole. Na was at 9 under and on the front of the 15th green in two, 80 feet from the hole. The group another shot back included Ben Curtis and Chris Couch, who were playing with Els; and Retief Goosen, who was on the 18th tee.
"I was playing well and Ernie looked like he was struggling," Na said. "Probably good for Ernie that they called it so he can clear his head a little bit. For me, I need to make birdies to catch Ernie."
Els went two years without winning, and was poised to only wait two weeks this time. He ended the longest drought of his career at Doral with a four-shot victory, and is trying to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001 to win twice on the Florida swing.
Oosthuizen, the 27-year-old South African who lost a 54-hole lead a week ago in Morocco, won his first European Tour event on Sunday at the Andalucia Open in Spain. He earned enough points to move into the top 50.
Choi closed with a 1-over 73 and was tied for 17th in the Arnold Palmer Invitational when the final round was suspended by weather. Choi, who moved up to No. 48 with his runner-up finish a week ago at Innisbrook, will stay in the top 50.
"My first goal this year was to win," Choi said. "But anytime you go to Augusta National, it's good."
Augusta National takes the top 50 players in the world ranking. The only other way to qualify now is for someone not already eligible to win the Houston Open next week.
The other three players to qualify for the Masters through the world ranking are Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, Alvaro Quiros of Spain and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.
The invitations will not be official until the Arnold Palmer Invitational ends.
On the course, Ernie Els held a two-shot lead over Kevin Na when the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational was suspended by thunderstorms at Bay Hill on Sunday in Orlando, Florida.
Els had a five-shot lead with six holes to play and looked to be cruising toward his second straight victory until hitting into the water for a double bogey on the 13th and into the sand for a bogey on the next hole.
He was at 11-under par and on the 15th hole. Na was at 9 under and on the front of the 15th green in two, 80 feet from the hole. The group another shot back included Ben Curtis and Chris Couch, who were playing with Els; and Retief Goosen, who was on the 18th tee.
"I was playing well and Ernie looked like he was struggling," Na said. "Probably good for Ernie that they called it so he can clear his head a little bit. For me, I need to make birdies to catch Ernie."
Els went two years without winning, and was poised to only wait two weeks this time. He ended the longest drought of his career at Doral with a four-shot victory, and is trying to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001 to win twice on the Florida swing.
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