Kohki Idoki emerges as a surprise winner at the PGA Senior Championship – Golf News
Kohki Idoki came out of the field of the PGA Senior Championship as a surprise winner, after he overcame a five-stroke deficit against Kenny Perry on Sunday, May 26, 2013. It was Idoki’s first ever appearance in the event, as well
as his first visit to the United States.
The prestigious seniors’ event was being staged at the Bellerive Country Club, featuring some of the best senior players from different parts of the world.
Talking to the reporters after finishing at the top of the leaderboard, Idoki, with the help of a translator, said the he himself was surprised to see his name at the winner’s spot.
“It is one of the greatest things to win in this game, so I cannot imagine more,” Idoki said Sunday through a translator. “I can’t believe that I am the champion.”
Perry, in the meantime, was really disappointed on missing out another chance of recording a victory in the major event.
The American started well on day four, as he birdied three of the first five holes that he played. However, he failed to keep the momentum going into the remaining holes and conceded three bogeys and a double bogey to ruin his
chances to finish on the top.
Entering the 13th hole, he was having a three-stroke lead over Idoki and he was very close to adding the title to his resume. However, the last six holes proved to be a nightmare for him, as he lost four shots while gaining just
one, on the remaining holes.
“Well, it was going good for the first 13 holes or whatever,” Perry said.
Jay Haas, who also shared the second spot with Perry, said that Perry was not able to play his natural game, or else, he could have easily managed to post a great score on the leaderboard.
“It didn’t seem like he was sharp from the beginning,” Haas said. “I just don’t think he was as sharp. If he was, he would have been 14 or 15 under, I think, with no problem.”
Idoki, in the meantime, remained flawless and carded six birdies to post a six-under par 65 and recorded an easy two-stroke victory in the end.
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