South Korea's Choi Kyung-ju shot a three-under 69 yesterday to claim his second SK Telecom Open.

　　Choi, who first won the event two years ago, finished the final round in style by sinking a 16-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at the Il Dong Lake Golf Club just north of Seoul for a total score of 13-under 275.

　　The local hero made five birdies in the final round, including two in a row on the 11th and 12th holes, but double-bogeyed on the par-4 14th.

　　"I think I played well because of so many fans," said Choi, who hugged his son and daughter following his win. "This win is very meaningful to me."

　　Andrew Buckle of Australia, who entered the final round as Choi's co-leader, shot a two-over 74 to share second place with US Masters winner Fred Couples (69) at eight-under 280.

　　Couples appeared to be catching Choi after firing five birdies, but conceded a bogey on the last par-3 hole to remain second.

　　Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant shot a final round 72 for a 281 total and fourth place.

　　The US$500,000 event is the 11th leg of the Asian tour.

　　In Charlotte, North Carolina, Sergio Garcia left a world-class field in his wake by making eight birdies in his first 15 holes for a 5-under 67 that gave him a six-shot lead at the Wachovia Championship on Saturday.

　　Except for a few wayward tee shots into the trees, Garcia was nearly flawless from tee-to-green, and even better with his putter. He pulled away with three straight birdies along the back nine, and refused to let the brutal finishing holes stop him on his way to a 12-under 204.

　　D J Trahan, a 24-year-old rookie, did his best to challenge Garcia until stumbling on the back nine to a 71. He was at 6-under 210, along with Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk.

　　Furyk, in his best performance since wrist surgery a year ago, had a 69 and will be paired with the 25-year-old Spaniard for the final round. He wasn't holding out much hope.

　　"He's lapping the field right now," Furyk said. "The golf tournament is in his hands; he's going to determine who the winner is. He goes out and shoots 70, you can hand him the trophy."

　　Singh played in the final group with Garcia on Saturday and was no match, shooting a 71.

　　Nick Price had a 69 and was at 211. Tiger Woods, who has never finished worse than third after winning the Masters, might see that streak end with a thud. He squandered opportunities on the front nine and failed to make a birdie over the final 11 holes for a 73, leaving him at 1-under 215 and 11 shots behind.

　　Phil Mickelson had a 73 and was at 1-over 217.

　　It was only the third time Garcia has held a 54-hole lead on the US PGA Tour, although never one this big. The other two were at the 2001 Buick Classic and the Byron Nelson Championship last year, both times by two shots. He won both.

　　No one expects anything different this time.

　　(The Associated Press)