K.J. Choi Makes Major Move in Round 1

August 17, 2001

Could it be possible that a very unlikely player like K.J. Choi of South Korea could conceivably win the PGA Championship? Anything is likely.

Okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. As they say in golf, "It's not how you start but how you finish." But what a start it was for K.J. today in round one.

After making 5 birdies and 1 bogey to shoot 4-under par 66, K.J. found himself in 2nd place along with eight others including David Duval and Phil Mickelson.

"I felt very good about my swing today. The winds were virtually nonexistent which made it easier to play my shots", said K.J. after the round. Most other players took advantage of the no winds and attacked the pin more aggressively.

K.J. looks to keep his momentum going into his 2nd round which starts on the 10th tee at 7:35a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).

 

K.J.'s highlight shots in Round 1:

Hole 1 (430 yard, Par 4)	170 yard approach shot to 6-feet from pin, birdie
Hole 2 (471 yard, Par 4)	Tee shot into fairway bunker, 220 yards to pin, lands on front edge of green, two-putts for bogey
Hole 5 (541 yard, Par 5)	Hits 304-yard drive, 2nd shot using 2-iron lands off green, chips 3rd shot to 13 feet from pin, birdie
Hole 9 (416 yard, Par 4)	Tee shot lands in fairway bunker, 2nd shot lands 52 feet from pin on green, makes long putt for birdie
Hole 12 (547 yard, Par 5)	No details but makes birdie
Hole 13 (364 yard, Par 4)	Dog-leg right hole, makes birdie
Hole 16 (441 yard, Par 4)	Nearly makes a 30-foot putt (right to left break) but lips out. Still a great putt!

Reported by Michael Ohr (K.J. Fan Central)