Monday, December 1, 2008 - 01:40
AFP News Briefs ListGolfer Choi wins Skins Game
South Korean KJ Choi sank a birdie putt worth two skins and 270,000 dollars at the final hole Sunday to win the 2008 Skins Game.
Choi, a newcomer to the four-man unofficial event, finished the two days with a winning total of 415,000 dollars out of the total one million-dollar purse.
Canadian Stephen Ames, the two-time defending champion, had a chance to halve the hole and force a playoff, but missed his putt.
"I'm very, happy today," said Choi, who won 340,000 dollars on Sunday to go with his leading 75,000 dollars from Saturday's first nine holes.
In the event players compete for money at each hole rather than the low score for the round.
A player must win a hole outright to win a skin. If a hole is tied, the skin and money carry over to the next hole.
Because of skins carried over, Sunday's opening 10th hole was worth 250,000 dollars, and Ames nabbed it with a birdie. Winning that hole alone put Ames second in the event. Phil Mickelson finished third with 195,000 dollars and US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate earned 140,000 dollars.
Mickelson, who bagged 25,000 dollars on Saturday, won 170,000 at the 13th with a birdie.
Choi added 70,000 dollars to his total with an eagle at 14 before his big win with an 11-footer at the last.
Images
KJ Choi of South Korea lifts the winner's trophy after winning the LG Skins Game at the Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, California
© 2007 AFP Robert Laberge
