It is fair to say there have been many landmark moments during the stellar career of Korea’s K.J. Choi.

But perhaps one that standouts more than most is his victory in the Compaq Classic of New Orleans, achieved on this day in 2002.

The significance of the victory is both personal and historic: it was his maiden success on the PGA Tour and, more importantly, it was the first win by a Korean there.

With millions of fans watching back home in the middle of the night, Choi did not disappoint and fired a final round five-under-par 67 for a four-stroke victory.

NEW ORLEANS – MAY 5: K.J. Choi is congratulated by his wife Hyun Jung Kim after winning the Compaq Classic at English Turn Golf and Country Club in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 5, 2002. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“I believe it will influence a generation of Korean golfers to come to the U.S. and try out for the PGA,” Choi said, through an interpreter. “In that sense, the win is very special.”

He earned the US$810,000 winner’s check with a 17-under-par 271 total, holding off a number of challengers in perfect scoring conditions on English Turn Golf & Country Club.

Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Dudley Hart from the United States came the closest, finishing with 67s to tie for second, at 13-under 275.

Choi took the lead in the second round and was tied but never trailed after that.

“This win is very special to me because when I first came to the U.S. I had a 10-year plan laid out,” Choi said. “It’s earlier than I thought it would happen, but it’s part of the plan.”

NEW ORLEANS – MAY 5: K.J. Choi of Korea hits his second shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Compaq Classic at English Turn Golf and Country Club in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 5, 2002. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

He had two birdies on the front nine for a one-stroke lead at the turn, and sank a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 11 to go to 15 under – two shots ahead of three players.

Choi increased his lead with a birdie on No. 13. His second shot on the 16th rolled to the lip of the cup and sat there, just short of an eagle and a five-shot lead.

The Korean star described that as the turning point in the round. He said he knew it was a good shot, but did not think it was an eagle.

He chipped in for his final birdie on No. 17 – a 35-footer from out of the rough, before he could afford to finish with the luxury of a bogey at the last.

Having secured his PGA Tour card in 1999, to become the first Korean to do so, victory in New Orleans was indeed a quick transition to the winners’ circle.

And having got a taste for it, he promptly won again later that year at the Tampa Bay Classic.

He won in Tampa by a commanding seven shots to help signal the start of a career that would see him become Asia’s most prolific winner on the PGA Tour with eight titles.

And, boasting six wins on the Asian Tour, plus 29 globally, it’s not difficult to understand why the Korean star is also an Honorary Member of the Asian Tour.

Korea’s Hyojoo Kim defeated Hannah Green from Australia by one shot in a gripping finish to the HSBC Women’s World Championship on Sunday at Sentosa Golf Club, home of the Asian Tour.

Kim brilliantly dismantled the New Tanjong course with a breath taking eight-under-par 64, for a tournament total of 17-under-par 271, to secure her fourth victory on the LPGA Tour but first in five years.

She was helped in her cause by Green who appeared on course to take the title after she birdied the 16^th to take a one-shot lead, but then surprisingly made bogey on the final two holes to finish solo second.

Hyojoo Kim of Korea lines up her putt on the 13th green during the second round (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

The Australian, playing in the HSBC event for the first time, signed for a 69. The former KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner, playing in the final group, holed out from the fairway for a stunning eagle at the 14th and holed a ten-footer at the 16th to grab the outright advantage, only to three-putt bogey the 17th and then fail to get up and down to save par at the last.

Kim, who wore full head gear all week for protection against the sun, had started her final round five shots back of the overnight leader, China’s Xiyu Lin, but stormed up the leaderboard with one of the finest rounds of her career that saw her make four birdies on the front side and four on the back.

Hannah Green of Australia hits her tee shot on the 5th hole during the third round (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)

“My goal for this year is to get a win and I’m glad I achieved that today,” said 25-year-old Kim, whose last victory was the 2016 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.

Last year she stayed in her home country and won twice on the Korean LPGA. “While I was playing on the KLPGA Tour last year, I honed my skills and wanted to adapt them to this year on the LPGA, and I’m very happy that these results came out.”

Lin signed off with a 71 to finish in joint third place alongside world number two Inbee Park of Korea and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit.

Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand hits her tee shot on the 1st hole during the first round (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)

When England’s evergreen star Lee Westwood celebrates his 48^th birthday today, the one victory – out of his 44 international wins – that may come to mind the most is his triumph at the Indonesian Masters, in Jakarta.

That is because he claimed the first of his three wins in the event on this same day, just a decade ago.

In what was the inaugural edition of the Indonesian Masters he beat Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee by three shots at Royale Jakarta Golf Club – the event’s regular home for the ensuing eight years.

Westwood, at the time ranked number two on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), led by five going into the last round and closed with a three-under 69, to hold off a typically brave challenge from Thongchai, who shot a sensational 65.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – APRIL 24: Lee Westwood of England poses with his birthday cake after winning the Indonesian Masters atthe Royale Jakarta Golf Club on April 24, 2011 in Jakarta , Indonesia (Photo by Khalid Redza / Asian Tour via Getty Images)

“This will definitely be the most memorable birthday for me,” said Westwood, after his win.

The Englishman was also bidding to reclaim the number one spot on the OWGR – which was being led by Germany’s Martin Kaymer, although England’s Luke Donald, in third place, looked like taking over top spot as he was on the cusp of winning the Heritage tournament on the US PGA Tour that same Sunday.

“It was about coming here this week and trying to win the Indonesian Masters and I’ve done that. I’ve ticked every box this week so we will have to wait and see what happens,” said the Englishman, who held the number one spot for 17 weeks before being deposed by Kaymer in February.

Westwood’s win was put on hold for over an hour when lightning forced him to return to the clubhouse with one hole to play.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – APRIL 22: Lee Westwood of England talks with Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand during the second round of the Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club on April 22, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)

When play resumed he parred the 18th to finish the tournament on 19-under 269.

He was even par for the day after nine holes but shifted gear when he holed a difficult birdie putt on the 11th hole.

“Yeah, that was probably the hardest putt I had all day,” he said.

“It was 15 feet and had a three-feet break on it. I birdied the next with two good shots and played solidly. I managed to pick up a few shots and birdied the 16th from four feet. I was quite comfortable after that.”

Thongchai credited a red-hot putter for his fine round, where he turned in 31 before adding two more birdies on his back nine.

“It was a good round from me and I’m happy with how I played. I played my own game and focused hole by hole and shot by shot,” said the Thai, a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.

In the end Westwood did not reclaim top spot on the OWGR from Kaymer – nor did Donald, who lost in a play-off to American Brad Snedeker at the Heritage.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – APRIL 24: Lee Westwood of England in action during day four of the Indonesian Masters at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club on April 24, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia (Photo by Khalid Redza / Asian Tour via Getty Images)

But his victory in the Indonesian capital was yet another career defining conquest. He went on to win the event the following year, and then again in 2015.

To date he has claimed nine titles in Asia and is one of the few golfers who has won tournaments on five continents – Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

And after winning the European Tour’s Order of Merit last year and finishing runner-up on the PGA Tour twice in March, first at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard followed the week after at THE PLAYERS Championship, perhaps we have not seen the last of his silverware success in Asia.

Happy Birthday Lee Westwood!

Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat is another of his country’s emerging young players – as demonstrated by his three wins on the Asian Development Tour (ADT). We spoke to him at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship, the All Thailand Golf Tour and ADT event he claimed in 2019, earlier this year and got up to speed on what he has been up to.

COVID-19 has made life difficult for everyone. How has it been for you Itthipat?

I have tried to take the positives out of it and spend more time with my family, which has been great. I still kept practicing and working out. I am a professional golfer so it’s my routine. During the pandemic, I had a lot more time to play golf in Thailand and meet many people.

I also did some teaching but nothing too serious. I just wanted to give something back to the community and help people enjoy golf more. Most were junior golfers between 4-15 years old. I received positive feedback and really enjoyed it.

How much have you enjoyed playing on the Asian Tour?

The Asian Tour has been great for me, even though I lost my Tour card after playing a few seasons. But, I got my card back again in 2020 and had the opportunity to play in three big tournaments: the Hong Kong Open, the SMBC Singapore Open and the Bandar Malaysian Open. It was a great experience playing with many big-name players in those events. I was very satisfied with my performance before the season was put on hold because of the  pandemic.

Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

You have put in some good performance on the Asian Tour. What are the areas of your game you have to work on to improve?

After returning to the Asian Tour, I have tried my best to improve everything. Then during the pandemic, I had a lot more time to practice on my own. And having taken such a long break without any competition, I have had more time to prepare myself and get ready for the Tour restart.

You won the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in 2019, probably the biggest win of your career. How important was the victory for you?

The Boonchu Ruangkit Championship is co-sanctioned between the All Thailand Golf Tour and the Asian Development Tour (ADT). It meant a lot to me; I felt like it unlocked and improved my game. It also helped me claim the All Thailand Golf Tour Order of Merit that year and finish in the top-five on the ADT Order of Merit – which allowed me to get my Asian Tour card and return to the Tour again.

Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

What are your memories of that week and did you have a feeling you could win?

At that time, I did not think about winning but I remember that it was one of my best performances. I played without pressure in the final round. I just tried to concentrate and focus on my game. I could go out and play, enjoy and have fun. It was the key to my success.

How old were you when you started playing, and who taught you?

I started playing golf when I was 10 years old. My first teacher was a former national golfer, Sitthichon Samransuk. My father taught me as well when I was a kid. I followed him to the driving range and one day I told him that I wanted to try a swing, so he got me a club and I hit it. It was not too hard from the beginning because I like sports and my family have always supported me.

Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Who was your golfing idol growing up?

When I was young, my idol was Tiger Woods. He is a super talented golfer and one of the most inspirational golfers. In Thailand my idol is Boonchu Ruangkit, he is a legend in Thailand and like a big brother for all Thai golfers as well.

What are your plans and objectives in the future?

I want to keep playing on the Asian Tour and I’m aiming to win an event, I think I have a chance to do that in the future. I also look forward to playing in Japan, as that is part of my plan. However, my big goal is to play on the European and PGA Tours, but I will have to do really well on the Asian Tour, that would be the first step. During the pandemic, I also started to think about setting up a small business in the future.

Jeev Milkha Singh enjoyed many great victories during his illustrious career but perhaps his finest was his memorable win in the Volvo China Open in 2006. It was his first success in seven years and opened the floodgates for three more wins that season and another five in the ensuing years. We look back at the victory – achieved on this day 15 years ago – in China’s capital city, which marked the Indian star’s revival.

Jeev Milkha Singh’s incredible success and endless list of firsts achieved for his country in the game gloss over the fact that there were some serious bumps in the road for the Indian legend.

When he claimed the Lexus International in Thailand in 1999 for his ninth win in Asia, and third on the Asian Tour, all seemed in order and his continued rise to stardom on the perfect trajectory.

BEIJING – APRIL 16: Jeev Milkha Singh of India with the winners trophy after the final round of the Volvo China Open at the Beijing Honghua International Golf Club on April 16, 2006 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

However, having already been a professional for seven years, the effect of pounding golf balls, week in, week out, finally caught up with him and he was beset by injuries – in particular, a career-threatening wrist injury.

He struggled, season after season, until the turning point – an epiphany of sorts – came in the world’s most populous country in the second week of April, 2006.

In the 12^th staging of the Volvo China Open he emerged from a stressful seven-year drought to claim the title and signify his return to the topflight – much to the relief of his millions of fans.

He was 34 years old at the time and carded a final round 70 at the Honghua International Golf Club, in Beijing, for a 10 under par total of 278 to lift the trophy by one shot from Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

BEIJING – APRIL 16: Jeev Milkha Singh of India celebrates with his caddy after winning the Volvo China Open at the Beijing Honghua International Golf Club on April 16, 2006 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

To say it was an emotional victory is an understatement and it gave him the final proof that his years in the wilderness were over.

“This is fantastic,” he said at the time. “When I was injured, I didn’t know if I was going to come back in the sport. When I came back I wasn’t thinking the same way. I was struggling, I was putting pressure on myself and I was getting down. And after that, you don’t think right. I started working hard and the wrist became better and things started looking better for me. I’ve just won and it’s one of the best feelings.

“I just can’t explain this feeling. It’s like a dream come true. I’ve always tried hard to win and today, I just went in there with reverse psychology thinking that if it doesn’t happen, never mind. I just wanted to give it my best shot. And it worked out perfect for me. I’m really excited and happy the way it worked out.”

One shot adrift of playing partner David Lynn from England at the start of the day, things did not start promisingly for Singh when he bogeyed the opening hole. But he regrouped bravely and birdies at the third, fifth and seventh holes saw him reach the turn in 34 and one shot clear at the top of the leaderboard.

Fernandez-Castano tried his best to spoil Singh’s comeback win, especially on the 365-yard 17th.

The Spaniard hit a spectacular six-iron second shot, from sand, which finished five feet from the pin.

The resulting birdie three pulled him to within a shot of Singh, playing in the final match behind, but any real hope he had of forcing a play-off ended when he pulled his drive into the woods at the last and had to chip out one handed and backwards on his way to a bogey five, a 70, a nine under par total of 279 and second place outright.

Singh, who had not dropped a shot all day since his blemish on the opening hole, made bogey on the last, three putting from 40 feet after his second shot landed on the front edge of the putting surface.

But it was enough to secure the title and restore his confidence and faith in his game.

Earlier in the day, a bizarre incident had threatened to thwart his challenge.

On the 11^th hole his wayward drive ended in the woods, where a spectator picked up the ball and ran away with it, forcing Singh to ask permission from a tournament referee to replace it.

“My ball was down there and this guy was walking with my golf ball in his hand,” said Singh. “There were so many people saying so many things to him and he got confused and scared and just let the ball go.

“I just told him to relax, and the rules official came and told the guy to tell me where the ball stopped. The person asks him, and while he was doing it someone from the gallery came out and kicked him.”

It was the same calmness in the face of adversity that saw him go on to complete his comeback win and begin the most successful chapter in his career.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday to become the first player from his country to win a men’s Major championship.

The 29-year-old finished a shot ahead of American rookie Will Zalatoris, after carding a final-round one-over-par 73 for a tournament total of 10-under.

He also became only the second Asian-born player to triumph in a Major – after Korean YE Yang’s victory in the 2009 US PGA Championship.

Matsuyama started the final day with a four-stroke advantage over four golfers — England’s Justin Rose, Australia’s Marc Leishman and Americans Xander Schauffele and Zalatoris.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He survived some mistakes late on, and a challenge from Schauffele, to claim the Green Jacket in thrilling circumstances.

Schauffele fired four straight birdies before his bid for honours ended with a triple-bogey on the par-three 16th.

“I felt nervous from the start of the day and right through until the end,” said Matsuyama.

“I was thinking about [my family] all the way around. I’m really happy I was able to play well for them.”

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hugs his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He recovered from a bogey on the first with birdies on the second, eighth and ninth. He then extended his lead to six on the back nine, but he gave Schauffele some hope when he found water going for the green in two on the par-five 15th.

After Schauffele’s fourth straight birdie, the lead was down to two shots with three to play, but the American’s charge came to an end on the 16th hole.

Matsuyama found a greenside bunker on the 18th, but splashed out to give himself two putts to win the title.

“Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer and many other Japanese will follow,” said the Japanese star, the winner of five titles on the PGA Tour and eight on the Japan Golf Tour Organization.

Korean KJ Choi may have just fallen short of winning a Major but his performances in The Masters Tournament, which tees-off at Augusta National Golf Club tomorrow, were an inspiration to Asian golfers and paved the way for players from that continent to continue where he left off. We look back at the two memorable Masters that could have easily seen the Korean don on a Green Jacket.

When Korean Sungjae Im tied for second in last year’s Masters, five shots behind American Dustin Johnson, there was no doubt the result – the best finish by an Asian at Augusta National Golf Club – had its genesis in the genius of his illustrious compatriot KJ Choi.

Choi, much to the disappointment of millions of his fans, never won a Major but he went further than any other Asian had gone before in the Majors by finishing in the top-10 on six occasions. He was a pathfinder for Asian golf and his lack of silverware in the Majors was compensated for by eight victories on the PGA Tour – most notably The Players Championship in 2011.

AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 11: Ernie Els of South Africa chats with K.J. Choi of Korea on the 12th tee during the final round of the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2004 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

And although his friend and countryman YE Yang spoilt the party at the Choi hacienda by becoming the first Asian to win a Major, when he triumphed in the 2009 US PGA Championship, it was Choi’s results in the Majors there were perhaps the greatest inspiration for players from the Far East.

To be more specific, it was his heroic play in the Masters that acted as a beacon of hope for the next generation.

Most notably, it was his third-place finish in the Masters in 2004 and equal-fourth placing in 2010 that will be long remembered.

AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES: K.J. Choi of Korea tips his hat on the 11th fairway after after his eagle during final round action of the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club 11 April 2004 in Augusta, GA. Choi started the round at 3 under par. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)

EAGLE SEASON

In 2004, Choi had Asian fans on the edge of their seats when he shot 31 on the back-nine on Sunday to finish three shots behind American Phil Mickelson. South African Ernie Els claimed second, one behind the winner.

Choi, playing with Els, began the final round three shots off the lead and struggled on the front nine with two bogeys, making the turn in 38. But a pure five-iron on the 11th – the third most difficult hole of the week – changed everything for the Korean.

His ball rolled straight into the cup for an eagle, only the third eagle on 11 in Masters history.

Choi, 33 at the time, then closed with birdies on 13, 14 and 16 to shoot 69 and record his career-best performance in a Major.

A remarkable performance considering he made his debut in the event a year earlier, finishing in a for 15^th, demonstrating his immediate affinity for the tournament.

“More years, more experience, more comfortable,” said Choi at the time, who opened with a front-nine 30 on Friday to tie a course record.

The six-time Asian Tour winner added: “This is going to help me positively with my swing and the development of my game.”

AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 08: Tiger Woods (R) plays his tee shot on the first hole as K.J. Choi of Korea (L) and a gallery of fans look on during the first round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

TIGER WATCH

Six years later Choi again came close to claiming the year’s first Major.

Starting the day four strokes behind overnight leader Lee Westwood from England, he briefly joined Mickelson in a share of the lead with eight holes to play before slipping back with bogeys on 13 and 14.

He retaliated back with a birdie at the 15th but that was where the rally ended. He returned a 69 to finish in a tie for fourth with American Tiger Woods, five shots adrift of Mickelson, who claimed his third Green Jacket.

Choi fittingly summed up what the result really meant: “In the past … the mindset of the Asian players was that when it comes to the Masters, there was a fear factor there, that we can’t do it.

AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 08: KJ Choi of South Korea (L) shakes hands with Tiger Woods on the 18th green during the first round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“Now I hope that this gives motivation for the younger players, other players, that they can do it at big tournaments like the Masters.”

Choi had the added pressure of partnering Woods for all four rounds as the world number one made his return after admitting to a string of extra-marital affairs.

“It was exciting like 2004, but only this year I think it was, on a personal level, it was better for me because my playing level has improved a lot compared to 2004,” said Choi.

“I think it was more gratifying for me this year and the fans were very supportive and just playing with Tiger for the last four days it was a very good experience for me.”

Choi will not be playing in the Masters this year but four Asians will be competing: Im, Chinese-Taipei’s CT Pan, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, and Korean Siwoo Kim.

Pan thrilled his army of fans back home by finishing equal seventh last year; Matsuyama enjoyed a best finish of fifth in 2015; while Kim was tied 21^st in 2019.

All performances that suggest more is to come from Asia’s current generation of golfers this week; all performances that pay homage to KJ Choi, arguably, the architect of their success.