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Sports [PGA] Na cruises to win at Charles Schwab Challenge
2019.05.26 09:16
 FORT WORTH, Texas -- Kevin Na birdied four of the first eight holes and shot a 4-under 66 to cruise to a four-shot victory over Tony Finau at Colonial on Sunday.
The South Korean-born American opened with a two-shot lead and was in front by at least that many for the final 16 holes after putting his second shot inside 5 feet for birdie at the par-4 second. Na finished 13 under. Na's third career PGA TOUR victory, and second in 10 months, came after putting himself in contention with a second-round 62, one off the Colonial record.
It was his third score at least that good in a span of six on the cozy course made famous by Ben Hogan. Local favorite Jordan Spieth's strong putting disappeared in a 2-over 72 as the Dallas native finished eight shots back to remain without a victory since his the 2017 Open Championship.
Jim Furyk's hopes faded when he found the water for double bogey at the par-3 13th on the way to a 73. The 17-time PGA TOUR winner's last title was at Hilton Head in 2015. Finau briefly was within a shot of Na early in the round, and the first-round leader was two back when Na birdied 14 about the same time Finau had a bogey at 16 to push the lead to four.
Finau, looking for his second career win three years after his first, closed with a 68. It's the first time since 2002-03 that consecutive Colonials were decided by more than one stroke. Defending champion Justin Rose had his third score of par or worse, shooting 70 to finish 5 over.
By Associated Press
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Comment 7
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황규정*65
2019.05.26 09:38
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My wife and I were rooting for Kevin from start to finish.
We were very happy for him, his pregnant lovely wife and their toddler daughter.
Kevin certainly knows how to express his emotions, which is in sharp contrast to
other Korean PGA players like KJ Choi.
It shows Kevin is Korean-American who is Americanized properly as most of our
adult children are. His kissing his wife's abdomen not to exclude his baby inside
in his winning celebration was only natural thing to do and was amiable.
By the way, as I once mentioned in this page, he attended Diamond Bar High School
and quit during his junior year to become a professional golfer at 17.
I happened to have a good friend, my high school classmate in Diamond Bar, which is about 40 min
drive from my place and has a large Korean community. I played golf at Diamond Bar Country Club,
a public course, a few times. Almost 100% of the golfers there are Koreans. Kevin apparently learned
to play golf there although he now lives in Las Vegas.
Kevin seems to show more confidence in his game as he gets more mature and became a family man.
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Every time he is on the leader board on Sunday and featured on TV,
he looks unsettled and his body language is almost jittery. The commentator
usually becomes somewhat cynical. I watched his performance on
CBS today. The commentator was not really convinced that he could
win until he got the 3 stroke lead. Today, he was different. He was very
confident and attacking the pin. I hope he plays like today on any other golf
courses besides Colonial. Then, one day he will chase for the 82nd win.
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황규정*65
2019.05.26 13:12
Kevin's old Sergio like preshot mannerisms were unbearable to watch!
Thank God! those have been long gone.I haven't seen his 'walking in putts' in this tournament and he might
give that up after incidence of laughter with Tiger at Players Championship?Those were reflections of his mental strength to me and hopefully he would get
stronger mentally after this win. KJ -
A good press conference by Kevin.
We Koreans should be proud of him.
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황규정*65
2019.05.27 10:06
Kevin was very articulate on interview and generous as well.
Certainly he made other fellow Korean Americans proud!
Thanks for your inputs! Dr. Lee! KJ
Kevin Na,Korean-born American won Charles Schwab Challenge of PGA.
This was his 3rd PGA win and 2 in 10 months span.
It was a rare bird for 태극전사 won PGA tournament compare to LPGA
Tournament by 태극낭자.
I was watching this game on live over LPGA game,which was telecasting
almost same time,because Kevin was leader after 54 holes in PGA and
none of 태극낭자 were contending this week in LPGA.
It was a very nice win by Kevin,who was under control especially after
fast starts of 4 birdies in 1st 8 holes.
It will be a nice mental booster for him for future career of PGA.
Congratulation to champion Kevin Na! KJ