LG Signature Final Day 9-Under Par '6-Stroke Victory', Kim Juhyung Leads 2nd Place to Sweep Money Title, Lowest Average Score, and MVP Award
Kim Bi-o is taking a commemorative photo with the trophy placed beside him immediately after winning the LG Signature Players Championship. Photo by KPGA
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] The "prodigal son" Kim Bi-o (31, Hoban Construction) makes a spectacular comeback.
On the final day of the LG Signature Players Championship (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW), the final event of the 2021 Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) season held at Seowon Valley Golf Club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province (Par 72, 7,010 yards) on the 7th, Kim Bi-o secured a commanding 6-stroke victory (23-under 265) by setting a course record of 9-under par. Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) finished second (17-under 271), setting a new milestone as the first teenager in Korean Tour history to sweep individual titles including the money list, MVP, and scoring average.
Kim Bi-o was the player who caused controversy with a "middle finger gesture" during his victory at the DGB Financial Group Volvik Daegu Gyeongbuk Open in September 2019. On the 16th hole (Par 4) tee shot, after topping the ball due to the camera shutter sound, he raised his middle finger toward the gallery, drawing heavy criticism. The KPGA imposed a severe penalty of a "3-year suspension." Interestingly, the KPGA reduced the suspension to "1 year" in October 2019 and then granted a special pardon again in July last year.
Starting the day tied for second place, one stroke behind, Kim Bi-o collected 10 birdies (1 bogey). He quickly took the lead with four consecutive birdies from holes 2 to 5, and his momentum continued with birdies on holes 7 and 11. His long drives reached up to 337.1 yards, but most notably, his green hit rate of 88.89% and pinpoint iron shots stood out. The bogey on the 13th hole (Par 3) did not affect his victory. He celebrated his win with four consecutive birdies from holes 15 to 18. Bowing his head, he said, "I still reflect on that incident," and added, "I will repay the fans with a more mature attitude."
Kim Joo-hyung finished second in the LG Signature Players Championship, sweeping individual titles including the top prize money winner, the grand prize, and the lowest average score. Photo by KPGA
Kim Joo-hyung attracted even more spotlight by not only topping the money list (754.94 million KRW) but also leading the MVP points (5540.56 points). The MVP race was especially intense with Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical), who finished tied for 8th (11-under 277) and completed his round earlier, focusing attention on whether Park Eun-shin (31) would join the tie for second place. Park Eun-shin ultimately finished third (16-under 272), allowing Kim Joo-hyung to win the MVP by a narrow margin of 5.54 points. He also topped the scoring average (69.16 strokes).
Kim Joo-hyung became the youngest champion in KPGA history at the Gunsan CC Open last July (18 years and 21 days old), and with his win at the SK Telecom Open in June, he became the first teenager to win twice on the KPGA. This time, he set various records including the youngest money list leader and MVP. He earned a five-year tour card, a 100 million KRW bonus, and a Genesis car as lucrative rewards. "I realized I won the MVP when I handed in my scorecard," he said, adding confidently, "Next year, I want to work harder and advance to the PGA Tour."
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