Choi capitalises on flying start to triumph

US Tour Greensboro Classic: Boosted by a flying start, South Korea's KJ Choi won his first PGA Tour title in three years with…

US Tour Greensboro Classic: Boosted by a flying start, South Korea's KJ Choi won his first PGA Tour title in three years with a two-shot victory at the Greensboro Classic in North Carolina on Sunday. The 35-year-old, co-leader overnight with American DJ Trahan, fired a six-under-par 66 to finish on 22-under 266 at the Forest Oaks Country Club.

Choi birdied the first four holes and then forged three strokes clear with a holed bunker shot at the par-three 12th before clinching his third PGA Tour career title, and first since the 2002 Tampa Bay Classic.

Japan's Shigeki Maruyama, the 2003 champion, shot a 67 to secure second place with Americans Charles Warren (65), Brandt Jobe (67) and Jason Bohn (70) a further three strokes back in a share of third.

Britain's Justin Rose was among a group of five players tied for sixth at 15-under 273 after returning a 71.

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Disappointed at missing out on last week's Presidents Cup team competition after being the highest ranked internationals player not to qualify directly, Choi took out his frustration at Forest Oaks with an impressive run of four rounds in the 60s. The South Korean saved some of his best golf for the final day, hitting every fairway on his way to a mix of eight birdies and two bogeys.

He launched his round in spectacular style with birdies at the first four holes before running up his third bogey of the week at the par-five fifth.

However, he quickly recovered with birdies on six and nine to reach the turn in five-under 31.

Although he briefly faltered with another dropped shot at the par-four 10th, he birdied 12 and 13 before easing to victory with five rock-solid pars to close.

"Instead of worrying about anything else, I was just focusing on my game. Not whether I started out with birdies or picked them up late," Choi said.

Maruyama produced an error-free display that included five birdies but, after starting the day one stroke behind Choi, never got close enough to the Korean to apply pressure.

"I could hear KJ making birdies at the beginning and I couldn't make the putts on the first few holes," Maruyama said. "I had good birdies on the fourth and fifth. I played very good golf on the last day but KJ just played very well."

World number six Sergio Garcia of Spain, the highest-ranked player in the tournament, had been among the contenders going into the final day but fell off the pace with a 71 for a four-way share of 13th at 13-under 275.

SCORES: (USA unless stated, par 72): 266 - KJ Choi (Kor) 64 69 67 66, 268 - Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 70 65 66 67, 271 - Brandt Jobe 72 65 67 67, Jason Bohn 71 65 65 70, Charles Warren 62 74 70 65, 273 - Tim Clark (Rsa) 66 69 70 68, JL Lewis 72 68 67 66, Tim Herron 70 66 67 70, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 65 68 71, Jerry Kelly 70 68 67 68, 274 - Kent Jones 70 71 67 66, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 69 67 69 69 275 - DJ Trahan 65 69 66 75, Wes Short jr. 68 70 69 68, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 69 69 66 71, Scott Gutschewski 67 74 66 68.