(LEAD) S. Korean Choi Na-yeon grabs first LPGA title

(ATTN: RECASTS lead for clarity, UPDATES with details throughout)
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Choi Na-yeon claimed a victory at the
US$1 million Samsung World Championship at La Jolla, California, on Sunday (local
time), her first in a major LPGA tournament, her agent here said Monday.

Choi fired one-under 71 in the final round to finish on 16-under-par 272 at the
Torrey Pines course in California, beating Japan's Ai Miyajato with 15 under 273.
The 22-year-old sophomore, who hit a record-tying nine under in the third round
alone, extended the lead to seven strokes with an eagle in the sixth hole,
She appeared to cruise to victory for her first LPGA title, nudging the second
placed players Miyajato and rookie Shin Ji-yai.
Struggling with consecutive bogeys from the ninth hole, she finally lost the lead
in the 16th, after Miyajato trailed the leader with a series of birdies,
especially a birdie in the ninth.
In the last hole, when Miyajato's second shot rolled into the water and the
Japanese lost the chance to save par, Choi sunk the 1.5 meter-birdie putt to seal
her victory and earned the winner's prize of $250,000.
Shin, a strong favorite of the LPGA's Rookie of the Year, finished third with 11
under 277 and Kim Song-hee ranked eighth with two under 286.
Choi's victory marks the 10th LPGA title that South Korea's female golfers have
acquired this season. Shin has already lifted tour-leading three trophies and Ji
Eun-hee won the U.S. Open tournament.
hkim@yna.co.kr
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)