LG Skins Game: Final-day notebook

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Defending champion Stephen Ames got off to a hot start Sunday, winning $250,000 on the first hole with a birdie. (Laberge/Getty Images)

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- K.J. Choi became the ninth player to win this event in his first appearance, joining Stephen Ames (2006), Raymond Floyd (1988), Fred Funk (2005), Tom Lehman (1997), Colin Montgomerie (2000), Gary Player (1983), Payne Stewart (1991) and Fuzzy Zoeller (1985).

• For the first time since 2002, all four players earned money in the event. In addition to Choi's winning total of $470,000, defending champion Ames earned $250,000, Phil Mickelson earned $195,000 and Rocco Mediate won $140,000.

• Ames fell short in his bid to join Stewart as the only player to win three successive titles in this event, but he continued to ring the cash register on Sunday. After getting shut out on Saturday, Ames picked up six skins on the first hole (No. 10) and the $250,000 prize. That brought his total earnings on Sunday in three appearances to $1,490,000.

• Ames also moved into second place in all-time earnings in this event with $1,515,000. With his six skins and $250,000 on the 10th hole, he moved past Mark O'Meara ($1,320,000). Only Fred Couples has won more money in the event with $4,225,000.

• With an eagle on No. 14 on Sunday, Choi joined Mickelson as a winner of an LG Electronics package. Mickelson had earned his with an eagle on No. 4 on Saturday. Choi's $25,000 package included plasma and LCD HD TV's, a home theater audio system, an LCD computer monitor, a Blu-Ray player and a complete kitchen package including a French-door refrigerator, range, dishwasher and a front-load washer and dryer. In addition, he earned three LG mobile phones, including the new AT&T Smart Phone. Choi also won a package from LG Electronics on Saturday for being closest to the pin on No. 6.

• Mediate also earned prizes from LG on Sunday for being closest to the pin on No. 16. His package included an LG French-Door refrigerator, steam dishwasher, range and microwave oven.

• Choi is the fifth international player to win this event since 2000. The South Korean joins Canadian Ames (2006, 2007), Australian Greg Norman (2001) and Scotland's Montgomerie (2000).