Texas Children's Houston Open

Memorial Park Golf Course



The Loop

Choi and Woods can't shake each other

April 10, 2010

Considering how well the pairing had worked for both parties, K.J. Choi might have been secretly rooting for Tiger Woods to hole his short  birdie putt at 18 Saturday. Why break up a good thing?

Of course, Woods holed the three-footer to finish at eight-under through 54 holes, tied with Choi for third place, four shots back of leader Lee Westwood. More importantly, it ensured the two of them would be paired again on Sunday.

"Unbelievable,'' said Choi. "Absolutely fantastic. I'm used to him three rounds, so the same pairing is fantastic in the tournament.''

Both players experienced somewhat of a rollercoaster ride in benign conditions taken advantage of by several players, including Phil Mickelson (a 67) who rocked the crowd with back-to-back eagles at 13 and 14 a couple of groups ahead. Choi had four birdies and two bogeys while Woods went 7-5. He has proven the perfect playing partner for the world's No. 1.

"I'm really having a good time this week,'' Choi said. "I think the fans are really showing their love equally to everybody, especially to me, too. Every hole I feel they are supporting me, as well. It's just been a very comfortable week.''

That comfort level could be particularly important for Choi as his pairing tries to chase down Westwood and Mickelson beginning at 2:30 Sunday.

-- Pete McDaniel