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Senior Open

K J Choi makes history with Senior Open victory

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The R&A
28 Jul 24
3 mins
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KJ Choi became the first South Korean to win a senior major championship as he claimed a two-stroke victory in the Senior Open Presented by Rolex at Carnoustie.

The 54-year-old got off to a slow start but regained his momentum around the turn at the renowned Angus links to put daylight between himself and the chasing pack as he signed for a closing two-under-par round of 70 and a winning total of ten-under-par, two clear of Australia’s Richard Green.

Slow start

The eight-time PGA Tour winner opened with a bogey and dropped further shots at the 5th and 6th as the leaderboard became bunched with a number of players in contention. Choi’s playing partner Green and his other main pursuers Paul Broadhurst and Stephen Ames were going along steadily but, not for the first time this week, he moved up a gear and picked up a shot either side of the turn to get back to one-over for the day. The Korean 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.
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K J Choi - Korea

“This event is historical in Korea (to be the) first-time champion at the Senior Open. I’m very proud this week.”

Carnoustie experience key

Choi used his experience of earning 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. “It's unbelievable, today's game,” he said. “I prayed all week. Either way I started very nervous and some speed was off, which was the difference, and I made three bogeys after six. I kept my attention and prayed. I felt more comfortable in the swing. “I made a bad start but then seven and eight was better and then made birdie on nine, which made me feel better. The back-to-back birdies on nine and ten gave me real momentum today. “This event is historical in Korea (to be the) first-time champion at the Senior Open. I’m very proud this week.” Australian 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-par while seven players finished in a tie for fifth on two-under, including former Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn, Pádraig Harrington and Bernhard Langer.
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Senior Open
Choi makes history with Senior Open victory