North Carolina State University Athletics
Choi Wins Amateur Event in Playoff
6/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
June 20, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - NC State rising sophomore Albin Choi rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt at No. 18 to force a playoff and after two playoff holes he captured the 71st annual Monroe Invitational Championship Saturday at Monroe Golf Club.
The Toronto native finished the prestigious amateur 72-hole tournament at 9-under 271 at the par 70 course.
He won in the playoff over Indiana's rising senior Chase Wright.
It appeared that Wright had the tournament all to himself with a four-shot lead with eight holes to go, and a two-shot advantage on the tee at the final hole.
But Wright bogeyed the last hole of regulation, and Choi drained a 20-footer to force a playoff.
They duo went back to 18, and after both players made par, they replayed the hole with Choi making par again to seal another victory for the 2011 ACC Freshman of the Year.
Choi's third consecutive round of 2-under 68 left him tied with Wright heading into Saturday's fourth and final round.
Choi, the reigning Canadian Amateur champion, moved into the lead after Thursday's second round 68.
Fellow countryman, teammate and rising junior Mitchell Sutton tied for fifth in the event at 4-under 276. He shot a sparkling third round 66 that saw him record six birdies on the day.
In an interesting twist of fate, Choi nearly made the field for the U.S. Open during section qualifying on June 6. But after missing by just two shots in Springfield, Ohio, he turned his focus to Monroe Golf Club.
