CHASKA, Minnesota, (Reuters) – South Korean Yang Yong-eun became Asia’s first male major winner after overhauling Tiger Woods to clinch the U.S. PGA Championship by three shots yesterday.
Trailing world number one Woods by two strokes overnight, Yang kept his composure in difficult, swirling winds at Hazeltine National to fire a two-under-par 70.
He snatched the lead for the first time when he spectacularly chipped in from just off the green to eagle the driveable par-four 14th on the way to an eight-under total of 280.
Although Yang collected his second bogey of the day by three-putting at the 17th, he finished in birdie style, striking a superb approach over a tree to 10 feet at the par-four last and coolly sinking the putt.
He punched his right fist in celebration before raising both hands above his head to acknowledge the roars from the huge gallery packed around the 18th green.
Woods, in pursuit of a 15th major title but his first this year, missed four birdie putts from 12 feet or less to card an erratic 75 featuring five bogeys and two birdies.
The 33-year-old American, renowned as the best closer in the game, stumbled to the finish line with bogeys on the last two holes.
It was the first time Woods failed to triumph in a major after holding at least a share of the lead after 54 holes, having accomplished the feat to clinch his 14 previous titles.
