Choi builds on Masters result with strong start at Verizon

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K.J. Choi shot a 7-under 64 to take the early lead at the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head, S.C.

HILTON HEAD, S.C. -- For the last two years K.J. Choi has been forced to work around a couple of major issues: a bad back and a swing change. Now that his back feels better and his changes are taking hold, the man they call "The Tank" appears ready to resume his place as one of the best players on the PGA TOUR.

VERIZON HERITAGE

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Choi continued to build on last week's tie for fourth at the Masters by shooting a 7-under 64 in the first round of the Verizon Heritage. The South Korean who makes his home in Texas is trying to gain his first win since the 2008 Sony Open in Hawaii, a stretch of 49 events. That's a long time for a seven-time winner to go between victories.

Choi has come close once this year, placing second at the Transitions Championship. He's not missed a cut in eight starts and has six top-25 finishes this season. But he's eager to win again and is confident it won't be much longer.

"I'm feeling really good these days," Choi said. "My confidence is up. Normally after the Masters I'll go back home, but for some reason this year I wanted to come here. I've been playing good and I guess I wanted to keep that rhythm going."

Choi has been battling a troublesome back problem, which may have included an undiagnosed muscle tear, for two years. After some unsatisfactory treatment, Choi found a doctor who specializes in non-surgical treatment, including accupuncture, and has finally begun to feel pain free.

"My body feels physically a lot better than last year," CHoi said.

That has allowed him to incorporate some of the changes suggested by Australian instructor Steve Bann, who has helped Choi focus on making more of an upper body turn and creating a less vertical swing. Until the back pain subsided, Choi was unable to make a complete commitment to a full turn. That's no longer a problem.

"I think it's finally starting to settle in and I feel really comfortable about that," Choi said.

That comfort zone was apparent on Thursday at Harbour Town Golf Links. Choi was especially strong on the greens, where he needed only 23 putts to complete his round. But that's easier to do when you keep hitting it close, like he did at the 16th hole, where his approach shot finished a foot from the hole.

"Last week and this week, the putting is very important,especially in reading the speed of the greens," Choi said. "That's why this morning before I went out, I practiced on the putting green. I checked the speed of the greens. I felt good about it."

Choi can feel good about a lot of things after he survived playing four days in the same group with Tiger Woods at Augusta National. In the opening round at the Heritage Verizon he was paired with Jerry Kelly, who shot 67, and Ryuji Imada. The scene was a bit more low-key.

"The aura, the atmosphere is a little different than last week," Choi said. "But when you step on the tee box in the first hole you still get that competitive pressure. So I felt that. I just tried to play focused and play my best, and I think I played a great round."

The 64 was Choi's lowest score of the season and his best since the 2008 BMW Championship. He admitted that playing 72 holes last week in the crucible with Woods was beneficial to his progress. Anyone who can persevere through that experience will likely emerge stronger. That applies to Choi.

"I actually learned a lot from that experience. Two things mainly: being patient and focus," Choi said. "I was able to do that last week. I think that experience is only going to help me get better and I'm thankful for the experience I had with Tiger."

Now he'll try to build on his strong start on a course that he's competed on just once prior to this week. Choi said he didn't come to Hilton Head to force a win.

"I came here to confirm and check whether the shots that I've been practicing are working," he said. "And this is a good opportunity to confirm all the hard work that I've been doing is paying off."

Stan Awtrey is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.