Y.E. Yang Denies Tiger Woods His 15th Major Championship

Golfer Y.E. Yang has won the PGA Championship with a score of 8-under-par, becoming the first Asian born player to ever win a major. Yang held off a resilient Tiger Woods, on Sunday, as Woods attempted to win his 15th major title. Yang, a 37-year-old from South Korea, shot a two-under-par 70, one of the lowest scores on this day. Paired with Woods' three-over-par 75, Yang won the tournament by three strokes.

Yang pulled off the impossible going into Sunday's final round. Yang trailed Tiger by two strokes, along with Padraig Harrington. Woods had been 14-0 previously, with at least a share of the lead, going into the final round of a major. Harrington, trying to win back-to-back PGA Championships, quickly lost his way, having a quintuple bogey on the 8th hole, and finishing at even-par, shooting a 78. Yang, who is largely unknown, was not given a chance by many, as he had been paired up with Tiger in the final group.

Both competitors pared the first two difficult holes, before Yang birdied the third, to get to within one stroke of Woods. When Tiger bogeyed the 4th hole, both were tied at seven-under. Woods got the lead back, after Yang bogeyed the next hole, but both were tied again, after another bogey by Woods at the 8th hole. For the third time, Woods took back the lead, with a birdie at No. 11, but gave it up, with a bogey on No. 12. Yang took the lead for the first time, with a very impressive chip in for eagle on the 14th hole. Tiger birdied that hole, and the lead was one stroke. Both players pared the 15th and 16th hole, as well as bogey the 17th hole. Yang took a one-stroke lead into the 72nd hole. Yang hit another impressive second shot, which landed only 10 feet from the hole. Tiger, having to match, put the ball well wide, into the rough. Woods settled for bogey, while Yang made his birdie putt, and raised his fists into the air.

Woods, who was the clubhouse leader after each of the first three rounds, had to settle for a second place finish behind Yang. Woods did not seem to be on his game on this day, and couldn't capitalize on the many chances that he had. Had he won, Woods would of became the fifth player to go wire-to-wire at the PGA Championship and would of became the third player to win five total PGA Championships. It has to be a disappointing year for Woods this year, as he did win five PGA Tour events, but did not win a single major. His second place finish is his best at a major event this year.

The victory by Yang is being touted as one of the biggest upsets in golf history. Going into this event, Yang had been ranked No. 110 in the world, and had only one PGA Tour victory in his career, opposed to Woods' 70. It is also huge for golf's international scene, as it will now get maximum exposure. Expect to see many more new international faces in the next few years.