Korean golfer Yang wins his first PGA title

SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean golfer Yang Yong-eun captured the title
at the PGA Honda Classic for his first PGA win, his agents in Seoul said Monday.
The 37-year-old, standing at 460th in the world ranking, finished at a four-round
total of nine-under 271 at Palm Beach Gardens in Miami on Sunday (local time),
defeating American John Rollins by a stroke, they said.
Yang is the second South Korean to win on the U.S. PGA tour after Choi Kyung-ju.
Yang started the final round with three birdies in a row from the second hole and
did not lose the lead. His birdie at the 12th clinched his victory, leaving
Rollins behind by three strokes.
"This is the best day of my life," Yang was quoted as saying after the game. "I'm
happier than the day I beat Tiger."
Yang made an impressive win at the 2006 HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai by
beating Tiger Woods. But he was required to undergo a PGA qualifying test last
year due to a protracted slump in his performance.
With the PGA trophy, Yang was awarded US$990,000 in prize money and received
berths in next week's World Golf Championship event and next month's Masters
tour.
"My golf will be upgraded. I can fulfill another dream (at the Masters)," Yang said.
Another South Korean, Charlie Wi, finished ninth with three-under 277 total,
marking his best result of the season.
brk@yna.co.kr
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