The 2007 Rolex Tournament of Champions winners have been crowned.
Sihwan Kim of Buena Park, Calif., came out firing on the final day to finish with a 4-under-par 67 for a tournament total 1-under-par 283. Courtney Ellenbogen of Blacksburg , Va. , shot 1-over-par 72 for the day to claim her second AJGA win with a tournament total even-par 284.
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| Kim's 67 was the low round of tournament. |
Kim, who won the Mission Hills Desert Junior in June, said he came in somewhat confident but was concerned about a course he felt was very tough.
“The hole locations today were really hard, and we all had no choice but to play it safe and to the middle of the greens,” Kim said. “I never thought I could shoot this low. I thought 69 at best.”
Even though he carded 35 and 32 on the front and back nines, respectively, Kim said his day did not start out so well.
“After the first hole, with a three-putt for bogey, I didn’t think I was going to do well,” Kim said. “I managed to keep it going though and just kept hitting it well and looking for par.”
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| Champions Ellenbogen and Kim display their trophies. |
By winning the RolexTournament of Champions, Kim claimed his eighth AJGA title, tying him for second all time with Bob May (1982-1987), Tiger Woods (1991-1992) and Charles Howell III (1992-1996). Phil Mickelson holds the record with 12 career AJGA wins (1985-1989).
Behind Kim in second place was John Popeck of Washington , Pa. , with a tournament total 2-over-par 286. Luke Guthrie of Quincy , Ill. , carded a 3-over-par 74 in the final round to finish in third place with a four-day total 4-over-par 288. In a three-way tie for fourth place, all carding 5-over-par 289 tournament totals, were William Kropp of Edmond, Okla., Alex Shi Yup Kim of Fullerton, Calif., and Peter Uihlein of Bradenton , Fla.
In the Girls Division, Ellenbogen continued her solid play throughout the final round, finishing the day and the tournament five strokes ahead of her next competitor. Despite her lead, Ellenbogen came into the day knowing it would take more than luck to win.
“I knew the other girls were really good and that I would have to take the win and not just let it come to me,” she said. “I knew they weren’t just going to give it to me.”
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| The 2007 Rolex Tournament of Champions top 10 boys and top five girls. |
After leading for the past two days, Ellenbogen said her putting continued to be a key aspect to her game and that she did notice a little pressure.
“It’s always hard to play with a lead but I felt my game was good enough and strong enough to compete,” Ellenbogen said. “I’ve been working hard all summer so it’s nice to see it all come together.”
Tied for second place behind Ellenbogen, with four-day totals of 5-over-par 289, were Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif., and Vicky Hurst of Melbourne , Fla.
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