Carnoustie, Scotland: KJ Choi has become the first Korean to win a Senior Major championship, claiming a two-stroke victory in The Senior Open Presented by Rolex at Carnoustie Golf Links.
The 54-year-old started Sunday's final round slowly but ignited around the turn to put daylight between himself and the chasing pack. He signed for a closing two-under round of 70 and a winning total of 10-under, two clear of Australian Richard Green.
Choi, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, opened with a bogey and dropped further shots at the fifth and sixth as the leaderboard became bunched, with a number of players in contention.
Playing partner Green and fellow chasers Paul Broadhurst and Stephen Ames were all going along steadily but Choi, not for the first time during the week, began a hot run and picked up a shot either side of the turn to get back to one-over for the day.
He parred the 11th and then entered a three-hole stretch which determined the outcome of the 2024 Senior Open.
The former world number five recorded back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th before holing a 30-footer for eagle at the 14th to open a four-shot lead with only four to play.
Choi used the know-how which earned him a share of eighth in The Open at Carnoustie in 2007 to safely navigate the next three holes, before closing with a bogey to secure his maiden Major title.
Choi said: “It’s unbelievable. I prayed all week. Either way I started very nervously and some speed was off, which was the difference, and I made three bogeys after six. I kept my attention and I felt more comfortable in the swing.
“I made a bad start but then seven and eight was better and then I made birdie on nine, which made me feel better. The back-to-back birdies on nine and 10 gave me real momentum.
“This event is historical in Korea, first-time champion at The Senior Open. Very proud this week.”
Green extended his excellent run of form in the Senior Majors by securing his third top-three finish of the season, while England’s Broadhurst finished two shots further back in third on six-under.
Canadian Ames finished fourth on three-under, while no fewer than seven players finished in a tie for fifth on two-under, including former European Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn, Pádraig Harrington and Bernhard Langer.
