YE Yang Finishes 9th at Chevron World Challenge

Yang Yong-eun finished ninth in the Chevron World Challenge yesterday in Thousand Oaks, California, despite being tied for first going into the final round.

The 37-year-old Korean shot 74 in the final round apparently due to the aftereffects of flu. Jim Furyk of the U.S. won the tournament with a score of 13 under-275.

Yang`s final score was eight under-280.

Yang has undergone a sea of change this season. He earned 461,726 U.S. dollars on the PGA Tour a year ago, ranking 157th in prize money and losing his tour card.

After winning his first PGA Tour victory in March at the Honda Classic, he went on to win the PGA Championship. Yang went on to earn 3.49 million dollars this year, nearly eight times what he earned last year.

“This year was very meaningful for me. I feel regret that my stamina became depleted over the final events of this season. I wish to secure at least one win again next year,” he said.

Yang reduced his score by at least one shot on average per round. He also improved his capacity to manage risks and recorded 22.08 percent (37th) in bound back, or the ability to record a birdie or better on the next hole after a bogey, up from 15.38 percent (177th) last year.

He is reportedly negotiating new sponsorship agreements with a large Korean financial institution and an electronic appliance maker. He will start next season at the SBS Championship in Hawaii Jan. 4.

kjs0123@donga.com