Choi Kyung-ju’s Eagles, Birdies, a “Good Start”

Who will be the winner of the 2004 “Claret Jug” (the trophy for a British Open champion)?

The 133rd British Open Golf Championship (4 million pounds in total prize money, approximately 8.4 billion won), which boasts the longest history of any golf tournament, began on July 15. That afternoon, the opening round teed off at the Royal Troon GC (par 71•7175-yard), Scotland.

At 3:25 p.m., “Tank” Choi Kyung-ju (Superior, TaylorMade) had a good start, along with the world’s fifth-ranked golfer, David Love III (USA), and Paul Lawrie of Britain.

Choi Kyung-ju sank a thrilling eagle on the fourth hole (par 5•560-yard), after going through a par parade up to the third hole. And he birdied the sixth hole (601-yard•par 5), the longest hole of all British Open courses, joining the leaders with a score 3-under par as of 5 p.m.

Choi Kyung-ju, who finished the Championship with his highest-ever ranking last year, a tie for 22nd (7-over par 291), out of the four times he played in the British Open, is aiming to finish in the tournament’s top 10 this year. British bookies are making him an 80-1 pick to win the championship.

The play of Huh Suk-ho (Lee Dong Soo Fashion) is also attracting interest. Last year, he created a sensation when he made tied for fifth place with a 1-under par 70 on the first day and stayed in the leading group for three days. Even though he failed on the last round with 77, he achieved impressive scores of 70-73-72 for the first three rounds. Huh Suk-ho, who plays on the Japanese golf tour (JGTO), has been doing well recently, winning the Tour Championship on July 4, a Japanese major championship.

On the other hand, the British Open is expected to have whimsical weather and a strong wind: variables that will determine the winner of the cup.

As proof, players were shocked to see showers with a strong wind after bright weather during the practice round of July 14. Over the same 200-yard distance, players had to hold a 9-iron when having the wind at their back, and a 2-iron when the wind was blowing in their faces.

However, they showed their satisfaction with the green of the Royal Troon GC, especially after having suffered the “concrete green” of Shinnecock Hills GC, where the U.S. Open was held in June. Ernie Els (South Africa) and Mark Calcavecchia (USA) both said, “The green is very good. With the ‘honest’ green, this championship will prove to be a fair test.”

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com