Choi Shots to Win And Also to Love

Two leading players, K. J. Choi and Steve Stricker landed their balls on the same bunker that borders the green in the 18th hole.

Master of bunker shots, Choi jumped his ball out and landed it close to the cup, while Stricker stopped it 10 yards away.

Choi scored a birdie, and Stricker ended up even par.

In the last hole, Choi reduced more, and is apart from Stricker by one stroke before the final round.

Choi and Stricker competed in the third round of The Barclays, the first FedEx Cup playoff series held at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y. yesterday.

By the end of the first round, Choi led a two-stroke lead over Stricker. On the second day, however, he got up and down with three birdies and two bogeys to rank second at minus-13. Stricker fired a six-under to lead the scoreboard.

Choi’s condition was not good. He failed to make out successful fairway and green landings. Only about 60 percent of them each succeeded. He made up for the shortcoming in the last two holes with two birdies.

“I had a control problem. But I felt I was gaining it back, and putts were better near the end. I feel I can turn it around,” said Choi.

This is the first time for Stricker to finish the first-spot third round since the PGA Championships in 1998. He has won three champion titles so far, but the latest one was six years ago. In a recent competition, Choi won the AT&T National and Stricker ranked second with two bogeys at the 14th and 15th holes in the last round.

In the FedEx playoffs at stake is the 10 million dollar prize money, which goes to a player who comes in the aggregate first after four tournaments. Choi promises to set up a charity foundation if he wins the money.

kjs0123@donga.com