California, U.S.A – Growing up in South Korea, K.J. Choi has always watched the Skins Game and the Masters on TV. Now, a professional golfer himself, Choi has managed to not only play in the Skins game but also take home the title and a whopping $415,000 in prize money.
Playing with Choi in the Skins game were Stephen Ames, Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate. When Ames entered the Skins game, he was looking to win his third consecutive title in the event, however, when he missed a nine-footer, he gave away his chances of winning the title to Choi.
At the beginning of the game, Choi was at the lead, with Ames following closely behind. On the par-4 13th, Mickelson won $170,000 with a tap-in birdie. On the par-3 16th, Mediate won $140,000 for his three-foot birdie. It was also here that Ames missed his six-footer that could have carried his money over. On the 18th, Mediate and Mickelson missed their putts. When it was only Ames and Choi left vying for the title, Ames also missed his put, slipping to the right, which gave Choi the title at the very end.
Choi won the title together with $415,000 in prize money. Ames came in second with $250,000, Mickelson came in third with $195,000 and Mediate came in last with $140,000 in prize money. This was the seventh time that all four players participating in the Skins game won money.
For Choi, the title and the prize money was already something to be proud of. However, becoming the fifth international player to win the title was worth much more.