GOLF: While K J Choi was gaining an historic breakthrough for South Korea's male golfers, American eyes were focused firmly on the performance of Bryce Molder when the Compaq Classic of New Orelans reached a climax at English Turn, on Sunday.
"I believe I will influence a generation of Korean golfers to come to the US," said Choi afterwards.
Molder, on the other hand, was thinking no more expansively than a place in this week's Byron Nelson Classic, which he earned by finishing ninth. But he needed to finish third to secure US playing rights for next year.
"There were so many things I learned out there," said Molder afterwards. "Like where to put the ball on Sundays. Still, I achieved one of my goals which was to get into the top-10 and get an exemption for next weekend."
Going into the 38th Walker Cup matches at Ocean Forest GC, Georgia, last August, it was widely acknowledged, even on this side of the Atlantic, that Molder was the best amateur in the world. And with three-and-a- half points out of four for a defeated American team his performance tended to confirm that view.
Both of his singles wins were against Ireland's Graeme McDowell, by 2 and 1 on the opening day and by one up on day two. In fact, he was the only American foursomes and singles winner as Britain and Ireland achieved remarkable supremacy.
At 23, his prospect of an immediate impact on the professional scene took a severe tumble, however, when Molder failed to survive the second stage of the USPGA Tour School last autumn. It meant that he started this year without even Buy.com Tour status.
So the four-time All-American from Georgia Tech was relying on seven sponsors' exemptions in his efforts to win sufficient money to gain membership status for next year. New Orleans marked the third of those invitations.
Going into the final round on Sunday, his prospects appeared to be decidedly bright when he was only a stroke off the lead. But his goal of a third-place finish was emphatically scuppered when he experienced the indignity of four-putting the 10th green from no more than 15 feet.
Still, he exhibited admirable resolve by rallying for birdies at the 11th, 13th and 15th, and claimed a share of ninth place with Phil Mickelson and David Toms, among others, for a reward of $112,500. It relieved him of having to use one of his four remaining sponsors' exemptions.
Meanwhile, Choi's performance is being linked, understandably, with compatriot Se Ri Pak who, as it happened, finished four strokes behind Juli Inkster in the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship on Sunday. Yet another Korean, Grace Park, was in contention for much of the way before dropping out of contention with a bogey on the 16th.
In fact, there have been several Korean women professionals on the LPGA Tour for some years now, but ironically, the greater profile of the men's circuit suggests that Choi, on his own, could be set to make a greater impact.
In senior ranks, Christy O'Connor Jnr is still struggling to regain the sparkling form he enjoyed before breaking his left leg in March of last year. Though he didn't play last weekend, O'Connor has made seven appearances in the US this year, with a highest finish of tied 24th in his opening event, the Royal Caribbean Classic, in February.
His earnings so far this year total $48,689, which is an average of less than $7,000 a tournament.
