WHERE THE STREETS HAVE YOUR NAME

Chella Choi returned to Sylvania this week not knowing what to expect or how she would feel. And the 25-year old said having everyone know her name has been an overwhelming change.

“I can’t believe like it have been one year,” said Choi. “Can’t believe. But I’m so excited come back to here. Everybody know my name and everybody talk about my street.”

Choi was referring to Chella Choi Drive, an honor bestowed on the champion each year. A commemorative sign hangs on the main street outside the course and Choi said she wished she had $5 for every time a player or fan as already asked her about it.

“So a lot of player tell me like, ‘Oh, I saw your street. You excited?’ I say, ‘Okay, $5 every time.’ I’m just kidding. But I’m very exciting; I’m proud myself.”

Choi became a Rolex First-Time Winner at Highland Meadows a year ago and said that her victory completely changed the way she looked at the game.

“You know, before win I play just -- I play a lot of times second place or Top 5 but I don’t have win before, right? So a lot of people say -- a lot of my friend and coach say, Oh, you don’t have win but you play so good, so keep going, keep going,” said Choi. “But, you know, I’m not okay. You know, seven year is really long time, right? So after win, after won, like I change my mind. Like, Okay, I can do it. I can do second win. Everything change, my mind and my things.”

Choi has yet to break back into the winner’s circle since but has three top-10 finishes in 2016 and says she feels extremely comfortable on this track. She’s making her seventh start at the Marathon Classic this week.

“I know everywhere in here,” said Choi. “Seven year, so this golf course, I made a cut every year and I play every year so well. Maybe two years ago I played third place, so every year good memory in here.”

CHELLA CHOI - RECORD AT THE MARATHON CLASSIC

Year	Scores	Finish
2015	73-66-65-66=270 (-14)	WIN
2014	71-72-67-69=279 (-5)	T32
2013	68-71-66-72=277 (-7)	T16
2012	66-67-70-69=272 (-12)	T3
2010	71-66-74-65=276 (-8)	T17
2009	67-72-69-68=276 (-8)	T33

THANKS, DAD

Chella Choi always said her dad would retire from caddying for her once she got her first LPGA victory but when she finally made the breakthrough she said that letting go wasn’t so easy. Ji Yeon Choi, a retired policeman, was on Chella’s bag for the first seven years of her career on the LPGA. He earned a three-week break after his daughter’s win and told her she needed to find a new caddie. But Chella admitted that things with dad on the bag were so much easier.

“So you know, my dad always like, Okay, just until three week tournament, and after one week off, right?” said Choi. “One week off you need a caddie, found another caddie. Okay, I promise. After that, he ask me, like, Did you found a caddie? No, I’m sorry, dad. Please four more, okay?”

Choi said he begs her for three more weeks at a time, urging her to find a new full-time caddie. But she doesn’t seem to be in any rush. She asked the assembled media on Tuesday to not break the news to him that she has him scheduled for an upcoming gig at the RICOH Women’s British Open.

“He going but he don’t know that. (Laughter.) Don’t tell him,” said Choi.

THE REAL DEAL

2016 NCAA Individual Champion Virginia Elena Carta earned a sponsor exemption and will be competing in her first career LPGA tournament at the Marathon Classic this week. The Duke rising sophomore is still getting used to the extra attention after shooting 16-under par to break the 72-hole NCAA individual scoring record in Eugene, Ore. in May.

“Unusual,” Carta said of the weeks following her win. “I had a lot of interviews and I had to talk about winning that, like Nationals, a lot of times. But just going through all those emotions was great for me. At the same time, made me realize that that week was a special week. I’m still living a dream also being here.”

Carta is a native of Italy and just finished her freshman season for the Blue Devils. She is particularly looking forward to meeting Duke grad and U.S. Women’s Open champion Brittany Lang this week.

“I’m going to get to know Brittany Lang tomorrow. That’s going to be great. I’m kind of nervous to get to know her especially now that she won the U.S. Open, like right after it. It’s kind of, Wow, that’s unbelievable. I’m excited.”

QUOTABLE

“Being on the first tee Thursday, it’s going to be fun to watch I think. I’m not sure how I’m going to be on the first tee. I’m curious. It’s going to be great. Probably going to be shaking for sure.”

-Virginia Elena Carta on what it will feel like on the first tee Thursday

Marathon Classic Presented by Owens Corning & O-I Tuesday Pre-Tournament Notes

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