Korean veteran golfer Choi Kyoung-ju made history on his 54th birthday, Sunday, becoming the oldest winner on the domestic men’s tour.
Choi defeated Park Sang-hyun on the second playoff hole to capture the SK Telecom Open title on the KPGA Tour at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo on the southern island of Jeju.
The two had finished 72 holes tied at three-under 281 on the par-71 course, and Choi clinched the historic title with a par on the second playoff hole, where Park made bogey.
At 54, Choi became the oldest champion in KPGA history. Choi Sang-ho had the previous mark after winning the KT&G Maekyung Open in 2005 스포츠 at 50 years, four months and 25 days old.
Choi took home 260 million won ($191,810) in winner’s check. It was Choi’s 17th career KPGA win and his fourth at the SK Telecom Open.
Choi is the all-time Korean leader with eight career wins on the U.S. PGA Tour, where he has been known as K.J. Choi. He has been playing on the senior circuit, the PGA Tour Champions, since turning 50 and has one career victory there.
