After qualifying at last minute, Choi makes most of Masters week

K.J. Choi only learned he was coming to the Masters three weeks ago, but he finished a career-high fourth despite having to endure the hoopla of playing all four rounds with Tiger Woods.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- K.J. Choi got one of the last spots at the Masters, and he made the most of it.

Choi, who only earned a trip to Augusta National three weeks ago with second place at the Transitions Championship, tied for fourth Sunday, finishing five shots behind Phil Mickelson. Add in PGA champion Y.E. Yang, who tied for eighth, and South Korea had two players in the top 10.

"In the past, the mindset of the Asian players was that when it comes to the Masters, there was a fear factor there, that we can't do it," Choi said. "But now I hope that this gives motivation for the younger players, other players, that they can do it at big tournaments like the Masters."

Choi was actually even with Mickelson after a birdie on the 10th hole. But he unraveled on the 13th, a hole where he had made birdie the previous three rounds. From the fairway, he tugged his approach into the back bunker, leaving him a frightening shot down a steep slope toward Rae's Creek.

He barely got it out of the sand, then three-putted for a bogey. Another bogey followed on the 14th.

This is the second time Choi was involved in a back-nine shootout at Augusta National, finishing third in 2004.

"It was exciting like 2004," Choi said. "Only this year I think it was, on a personal level, it was better for me because my playing level has improved a lot compared to 2004. So I'm more satisfied."

Not even playing all four rounds with Tiger Woods could faze him. This was the first tournament Woods had played since the sex scandal that made him tabloid fodder and the butt of late-night jokes, and all eyes were on him.

"I think we're playing the Monday qualifier for Hilton Head tomorrow," Woods joked. "No, it was a fun week. We have always had fun playing, with and against each other, and this was no exception."