Kang Sung-hoon "Runner-up is disappointing"... Scott wins "first time in 4 years"

Genesis Invitational Final Day: World No.1 McIlroy Ties for 5th, Woods Ranks 68th

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is Kang Sung-hoon’s (33, CJ Logistics, photo) 'comeback shot.'

On the 17th (Korean time), at the final day of the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational (total prize money $9.3 million) held at Riviera Golf Club in Pacific Palisades, California (par 71, 7,322 yards), he added 2 under par to finish tied for 2nd place (9 under par, 275 strokes). Adam Scott (Australia) secured the victory by 2 strokes (11 under par, 273 strokes). This marks Kang’s 14th career win, his first in four years since the 2016 World Golf Championships (WGC) Cadillac Championship in March, with a winner’s prize of $1,674,000 (1.98 billion KRW).

Kang started from a tie for 8th place, 3 strokes behind, and recorded one eagle, four birdies, two bogeys, and one double bogey. He opened the scoring early with an eagle on the first hole (par 5) with a '2-on 1-putt.' After a tee shot error led to a double bogey on the 2nd hole (par 4), he unfortunately made consecutive bogeys on the 4th and 5th holes. Fortunately, he recovered his score with birdies on the 6th and 9th holes, and added two more birdies on the back nine at the 11th and 17th holes. His average of 1.67 'stingy putts' stood out.

Kang Sung-hoon is the player who became a PGA Tour champion last May by winning the AT&T Byron Nelson. He is the sixth Korean champion in history, following 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (50, SK Telecom), Yang Yong-eun (48), Bae Sang-moon (34), Noh Seung-yul (29), and Kim Si-woo (25). The following week, he finished 7th at the second major, the PGA Championship, demonstrating his potential for a major victory. It is rather surprising that he has not had a single 'top 10' finish in the subsequent 19 tournaments.

Matt Kuchar (USA) joined the tie for 2nd place. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) faltered with his iron shots, losing 2 strokes and dropping to a tie for 5th place (8 under par, 276 strokes). He suffered a critical triple bogey on the 5th hole (par 4). It is somewhat consoling that 'No. 2' Brooks Koepka (USA) remained at a tie for 43rd place (even par, 284 strokes). From Korea, Lee Kyoung-hoon (29) finished tied for 13th (6 under par, 278 strokes), and Kim Si-woo (25, both CJ Logistics) tied for 37th (1 under par, 283 strokes).

The 'resurrected golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) collapsed with 6 over par, finishing last in 68th place (11 over par, 295 strokes). He struggled on the greens, including a '4-putt' on the 13th hole (par 4) the previous day, and again showed 'rollercoaster play' with one eagle, one birdie, seven bogeys, and one double bogey due to putting difficulties. His history with this tournament is interesting. Although he had a special connection, participating as an invited player during his high school years in 1992, he has played 11 times since turning professional without a single win.

The tournament host Tiger Woods (left) is taking a commemorative photo with Genesis Invitational winner Adam Scott. Pacific Palisades, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits