KJ Choi is excited to get his defence of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open under way as he experiences his first taste of the historic Old Course at Sunningdale this week.
The South Korean claimed his maiden Senior Major at Carnoustie 12 months ago, holding off the challenge of Richard Green for a two-stroke victory.
The heathland of Berkshire will present a very different test to the Scottish links and Choi is ready for the challenge.
“I'm so happy,” he said. “It's very nice. The feeling is not nervous but a little exciting. The Senior Open is always very exciting.”
Having played much of his golf in the United States, Choi is still getting used to the tree-lined, undulating layout of Sunningdale, but he believes control of the greens could be the key this week.
“My first time here,” he said. “Great course, great greens and the groundskeeping is all fantastic.
“I played Monday and Tuesday. Fantastic. It’s different to links golf, it’s lovely here.
“The greens look not slow, up-and-downs will be very fast. Sometimes there will be three-putts, the greens are not easy.
“On this course anybody - long hitter, short hitter - has a good chance because of the reachable par fives and some reachable par fours, it’s not too long.
“I will try to do my best.”
