S. Korean golfer Yang Yong-eun becomes first Asian to win major title

(ATTN: ADDs Yang's quote in 5th para, UPDATES with reactions at bottom)
SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Yang Yong-eun upset Tiger Woods by three
shots to win the PGA Championship in the U.S. on Sunday (local time), becoming
the first Asian male to seize a major title, his agents here said Monday.
The 37-year-old golfer, standing at 110th in world ranking, finished at a
four-round total of eight-under 283 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska,
Minnesota, grabbing his second ever PGA title since winning the PGA Honda Classic
in March.
Opening the final round after the world number one by two strokes, Yang took the
lead for the first time in the 14th hole by driving in an eagle.
At the 18th, he hit a perfect approach to the cup and sank the putt for a birdie,
confirming his victory over 14-time major title holder Woods who stumbled with
two-straight bogeys in the last two holes.
"I tried to master the art of controlling my emotions throughout the small wins I
had in my career," said Yang after the game. "I think it turned out quite well
today. I still can't believe I won the major title. It was my second win over
Woods, but this time I felt much happier," he added.
It was the second time Woods has finished runner-up in the PGA Championship
tournament since 2002.
Yang has pedigree against Woods, having secured an impressive win over him at the
2006 HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called Yang to offer his congratulations and
praised him for lifting the Korean people's morale.
"I woke up early to watch the broadcast and you played well, in a calm manner,"
Lee told Yang, according to presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan. "You have
overcome hardships to earn a great victory. You boosted the Korean people's
morale by winning the major event for the first time as an Asian."
His rural home in Jeju was crowded with visitors.
"I'm so happy that my son, born on the small island of Jeju, won over Tiger Woods
who has over 70 PGA tour titles," said his 64-year-old father Yang Han-joon, who
was overwhelmed with congratulatory telephone calls.
His parents woke up at 3 a.m. to pray for their son and watched him play, they said.
"Thank to the support of the people in South Korea and Jeju and relatives, he
could yield the best result," senior Yang said.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)