Kim wins Championships Flight in playoff

Ryan Kim eyes his target, the playoff hole of No. 17 on the east course of the Laolao Bay Golf and Resort during yesterday’s second and final round of the 22nd Governor’s Tournament of Champions. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Ryan Kim had a triumphant return at the 22nd Governor’s Tournament of Champions as he ruled the Championship Flight via playoff against Guam junior golfer Brett Salas.

Kim birdied the par-4, 373-yard No. 17 to edge Salas, who just saved par in the deciding hole on the east course of the Laolao Bay Golf and Resort yesterday.

“I had a perfect drive and very good second shot—about 85 yards away from the pin. Then I hit the 2-foot birdie,” said Kim, who used his 56-degree wedge for the second shot.

Salas, on the other hand, was about 4 to 5 feet away from the cup on his second shot and missed the birdie putt to settle for the runner-up honors.

However, the 16-year-old Salas put up a gallant fight, as he nearly stole the thunder from Kim, who led in the first round after firing a 5-under par 67 last Saturday on the west course of the Kagman facility. The Guam junior golfer was five shots behind Kim with his even par 72.

Salas went on to threaten Kim yesterday, moving within two after the first nine holes with his even par 36 against the latter’s 3-over par 39. Salas kept going in the next stage and even took a one-shot lead over Kim, as the former birdied No. 11, No. 5, No. 15, and the last hole—the par 5, 545-yard No. 18. Salas saved par on No. 10, No. 12, 16, and No. 17 and could have won the flight outright if not for a bogey on the par-4, 377-yard No. 13.

Kim, on the other hand, had a par on the No. 13 and did the same in the No. 14 to 17, No. 10, and No. 12, and avoided a monumental collapse when he also birdied the No. 18.

“He (Brett) was up when I went for my last shot and I badly needed a birdie to tie him. Fortunately, I got it. I think being familiar with the course helped me, especially in the playoff hole,” said Kim, who was born on Saipan and had the Laolao Bay Golf and Resort as his playground during his junior golfer years.

“This was my home course before I moved to Korea to play in pro tournaments. I am comfortable with the course and I think that made the difference,” said Kim, who registered a two-day total of 3-under par 141 to force the playoff against Salas. Kim shot a 2-over par 74 in yesterday’s second round against Salas’ 3-under par 69.

Kim played at TOC for the first time in a decade and used the tournament as part of his winter training here.

“I remember playing at TOC 10 years ago. I was in the C Flight then and did not do well. It’s nice to join TOC again and win,” said the 26-year-old Kim.

Meanwhile, joining Kim and Salas in the Top 5 of the Championship Flight were Harry Nakamura (155), Feng Chun Jin (159), and junior golfer Dong Young Lee (159).

Results of the other flights will be reported later this week.