CARNOUSTIE, Scotland (AP) — Overnight leader K.J. Choi won the Senior British Open by two shots over Australia’s Richard Green after carding a 2-under 70 on Sunday.
The South Korean golfer, who took a one-shot lead into the final round at Carnoustie, won his first senior major. He finished at 10-under 278.
“I prayed all week," said Choi, who became the first South Korean to win a senior major. “Either way I started very nervous and some speed was off, which was the difference ... I kept my attention and prayed. I felt more comfortable in the swing.”
Green (71), who was also chasing his first senior major victory, finished second. It was his third top-three place in senior majors this year.
England’s Paul Broadhurst (70), the 2016 champion, was another two shots back in third.
Calgary's Stephen Ames (71) led the tournament after the first round but finished seven strokes back in fourth.
India’s Arjun Atwal dropped two spots after a 4-over 76 to finish in a seven-way tie for fifth, which included former Ryder Cup captains Thomas Bjørn, Pádraig Harrington and Bernhard Langer.
The 54-year-old Choi opened with a bogey and dropped further shots on Nos. 5 and 6 before birdies either side of the turn.
Choi followed up with back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th before holing a 30-footer for eagle on the par-5 14th. That opened a four-shot lead with only four to play.
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The Associated Press
