Golf

Choi back to defend Greensboro

From correspondents in Greensboro, North Carolina
October 05, 2006

SOUTH Korean K.J. Choi won't have history on his side as he tries to defend his title at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro this week.

Apart from legendary Sam Snead, whose eight titles at the event included back-to-back wins in 1948 and 1949 as well as 1955 and 1956, no one has captured the title two years running.

On only three occasions has a defending champion even finished second.

Choi had a textbook week to claim the victory last year. He opened his final round with birdies on five of his first six holes en route to a two-shot victory over 2003 champion Shigeki Maruyama from Japan.

He had four rounds in the 60s and led in driving accuracy and putting average as he claimed the third PGA Tour title of his career.

In addition to his victory last year, Choi has posted three top-10 finishes at Greensboro. In 2001 he finished tied for fourth, in 2002 he was tied for seventh and in 2003 he was tied for fifth.

"I'm very comfortable here," he said. "It's a very good feeling for me and a good sign to come back here."

Choi's chances at Forest Oaks Country Club can't help but seem brighter with the absence of superstar Tiger Woods.

Woods, who won his sixth straight PGA Tour event and eighth of the year at the World Golf Championships American Express Championship in England last week, is taking a break.

While Woods was posting his wire-to-wire victory, D.J. Trahan was claiming his first career PGA Tour title with his own wire-to-wire win, in the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

Trahan was tied for the lead with Choi after 54 holes here last year, but closed with a 75 to fade to a tie for 13th.

South Africa's Tim Clark is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 20 in the world.

Davis Love, ranked 28th in the world, and North Carolina-based Swede Carl Pettersson (No.29) are also entered.

Clark goes into the event ranked 29th on the PGA money list and vying to retain his place in the top 30 and book a spot in the elite season-ending Tour Championship.

Players here are also bidding to arrive or stay in the top 125 on the money list in order to keep their playing privileges for next year.

Agence France-Presse