JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, Oct 25 – South Korea’s KJ Choi made his return to the Asian Tour a memorable one with a four-stroke victory at the Iskandar Johor Open on Sunday.

Choi posted an eight-under-par 64 in the third round, his second 64 in a row, for a 20-under total of 196 in an event reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather.

It was a special homecoming for Choi, who started his career on the Asian Tour and now plays regularly in the U.S. The gritty South Korean, affectionately known as “The Tank” for his strong build, has won seven times on the US PGA Tour. K.J works with IIG coach Steve Bann.

“It is not easy to win on the Asian Tour. The depth of talent here is very deep,” Choi told the media after hitting eight birdies in a bogey-free round.

The Korean made a spectacular par save at the 15th after finding the water with his tee shot, holing a chip from 10 yards.

The win couldn’t have come at a better time for Choi, who hasn’t had the best of years on the PGA Tour. However, he has emphatically broken through whatever barriers were holding him back thus far this year and looks to be in top form heading towards the end of the season.

Six Mile, S.C. (July 14) – IIG student Roger Tambellini shot a final round 2-under-par 69 Sunday to win the second annual Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic on the Nationwide Tour by four strokes. Tambellini posted four consecutive rounds in the 60s and set a tournament record of 20 under par.

Tambellini, 34, who had two prior Nationwide Tour wins as a professional (2003 and 2005) jumped into third place on the Nationwide money list with more than $250,000 in earnings. This victory will almost certainly secure him a return to the PGA Tour where he was a member in 2004 and 2006.

“It all came together for me this week,” said the former University of Southern California All-American.

Tambellini’s game has been rejuvenated since becoming a student of instructor Dale Lynch at the International Institute of Golf at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs during the past year. The IIG opened its American home in April and has developed one of the most successful teaching tandems in golf since its founding in Australia in 1990. Lynch and Steve Bann, are the two principal directors of the IIG and support a roster of clients competing on every major professional tour worldwide.

“Roger is an extremely talented young man and we are proud to know that we have been able to help him achieve success,” Lynch said. “There is no quick fix to find the winner’s circle, but when you have the talent and the will to work hard you can see results.”

The IIG staff currently instructs seven of the world’s 75 top ranked golfers, including U.S. Open winner Geoff Ogilvy and eight-time PGA Tour winner Stuart Appleby. For more information about the IIG, call (864) 868-0477 or visit www.iofgolf.com.

About The IIG
The International Institute of Golf (IIG) opened at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs in Six Mile, S.C., on April 25, with renowned Australian instructors Steve Bann and Dale Lynch establishing a home base in the United States at this academy. The U.S. facility is modeled after the highly successful Victorian Institute of Golf Sport (VIS) in Melbourne, Australia, which Lynch and Bann started 18 years ago.  The duo gained notice at the VIS for instructing well-known students Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion, Stuart Appleby, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour, Aaron Baddeley, Robert Allenby and Mathew Goggin since they were juniors.

The IIG staff continues to service their current professional clients at Keowee Springs, but will also welcome amateur players. The staff currently instructs five of the top 75 golfers in the world. The Institute features the latest computer, video and motion analysis technology including an innovative indoor practice area complete with hitting bays and a putting studio. The Institute accompanies a new award-winning Tom Fazio-designed golf course at Keowee Springs – one of eight private master-planned residential developments within The Cliffs Communities, founded in 1989 by Jim Anthony and located in the heart of the Carolina Preserve stretching from Greenville, S.C., to Asheville, N.C. To learn more about The IIG, call (864) 868-0477 or visit www.iofgolf.com or www.cliffscommunties.com.

Contact:
Barrett Wood
(864) 868-0477
(404) 543-3400 cell
bwood@cliffscommunities.com