Sports briefs

FOOTBALL

Pohang Steelers tap Choi

as their new head coach

The Pohang Steelers, which are currently third in the K-League Classic, announced Monday they have appointed the former Korea U-17 national football team coach Choi Jin-cheul as their new coach.

The five-time K-League champions said Choi, 44, has signed a two-year contract and will replace current coach Hwang Sun-hong, who decided to take some time off after the end of this season.

After ending his playing career in 2007, Choi started coaching Gangwon FC before heading to the Korea Football Association’s youth team.

The former defender, who played in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, received a lot of attention last month when he led Korea to the Round of 16 in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. BY JOO KYUNG-DON

TENNIS

Djokovich ends ATP finals

with a big win over Federer

LONDON - Novak Djokovic won his fourth straight title at the season-ending ATP finals by beating six-time champion Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4 Sunday.

Djokovic, who won three Grand Slam titles this year and reached the final in the other, capped the best season of his life with another superb display on the tennis court, including winning 16 of the 19 points on his second serve and saving both break points he faced.

Federer beat Djokovic on Tuesday in the group stage, but the 17-time Grand Slam champion made too many mistakes in the final on Sunday. Federer ended up with 31 unforced errors, including 15 from his usually reliable forehand.

He even gave away the final point with his second double-fault of the match. AP

GOLF

Kisner finishes season with his first PGA Tour victory

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - Kevin Kisner ended a year marked by runner-up finishes with his first PGA Tour victory Sunday at Sea Island.

With the RSM Classic in his hands, Kisner ran with it. His three-shot lead turned into a six-shot lead at the turn, and he breezed home with a 6-under 64 to win by six shots over Kevin Chappell.

Kisner became the sixth first-time winner in the fall start of the new season, though this was hardly a surprise. He became the first player in nearly 70 years to lose three times in a playoff. He was runner-up in a World Golf Championship two weeks ago in Shanghai.

This one wasn’t even close. He never let anyone closer than three shots all day and shattered the tournament record with a 22-under 260.

AP