Defending champion Choi finishes second at Kuala Lumpur
South Korean Na Yeon Choi clearly was not happy with the way things went in the last round of Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2012, as the defending champion lost to fellow South Korean Inbee Park
by two strokes.
Choi had to concede that she could not display her best form in the final two days, but the tournament reminded her of the 2011 edition where she shot the same score as Park did on Sunday
at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, and grabbed the title.
Despite losing to her fellow South Korean, Choi fought a tough battle and was more than happy to make a good start that saw her post a 65 and 67 in the first and second round respectively.
Commentators said that the defending champion had nearly subdued Park at the end of the third round and all she was supposed to do was hold her nerve on the final day, but a birdie spree from
Park proved a game changer.
Park, who is one of the rising stars on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, shot a total of six birdies on Sunday, which was enough to cement her position on the leaderboard.
Choi, on the other hand, could not capitalise on her early position she gained in the first three rounds as she made several mistakes on the fourth day.
Off to a sensible start, the 24-year-old golfer amazed her fans with birdies on the third, fifth and eighth hole, but could not hold her ground when she played the greens of 9th
hole, which saw her card a bogey.
On the back nine, Choi tried her best to boost her position, but all her efforts garnered was a double bogey on the par-3 17th and pars on the rest of the holes.
Speaking to the LPGA at the end of the final day, the runner-up admitted that Park’s game was much better on Sunday.
“She played well. She was nervous last couple holes. She played well today. She was 6‑under I think during the round,” conceded Choi who won her first major title at the US Women’s Open
2012 in July this year.
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