South Korean KJ Choi sank a birdie putt worth two skins and $270 000 at the final hole on Sunday to win the 2008 Skins Game.

Choi, a newcomer to the four-man unofficial event, finished the two days with a winning total of $415 000 out of the total $1-million purse.

Canadian Stephen Ames, the two-time defending champion, had a chance to halve the hole and force a playoff, but missed his putt.

"I'm very, happy today," said Choi, who won $340 000 on Sunday to go with his leading $75 000 from Saturday's first nine holes.

In the event players compete for money at each hole rather than the low score for the round.

A player must win a hole outright to win a skin. If a hole is tied, the skin and money carry over to the next hole.

Because of skins carried over, Sunday's opening 10th hole was worth $250 000, and Ames nabbed it with a birdie. Winning that hole alone put Ames second in the event. Phil Mickelson finished third with $195 000 and US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate earned $140 000.

Mickelson, who bagged $25 000 on Saturday, won $170 000 at the 13th with a birdie.

Choi added $70 000 to his total with an eagle at 14 before his big win with an 11-footer at the last.

AFP

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