Hong Soon-sang "10-Under Par Fireworks in Opening Round"... "Did You See the Course Record?"

Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open Day 1 'Fishing Swing' Choi Hoseong 2nd Place by 1 Stroke

Hong Soon-sang cheers after making an eagle on the 18th hole on the first day of the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open. Photo by KPGA

[Changwon (Gyeongnam) = Kim Hyunjun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "10-under-par course record."

The opening salvo from 'Players' Chairman' Hong Sunsang (39, Danu). On the 2nd, at Aramir Golf Club in Changwon City, Gyeongnam (par 72, 7,245 yards), the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open (total prize money 500 million won) kicked off with Hong shooting 10-under-par on the first day, instantly taking the top spot on the leaderboard. This tournament is the opening event of the 2020 season of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour. 'Fishing swing' Choi Hoseong (47) stood in second place with 9-under-par 63, just one stroke behind, heating up the atmosphere from round one.

Hong Sunsang recorded one eagle, nine birdies, and one bogey. After exchanging a birdie on the 1st hole (par 4) with a bogey on the 3rd hole (par 4), he swept six consecutive birdies from holes 4 to 9, building momentum. In the back nine, he added 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 15 and 17, and finished spectacularly with an eagle on the final 18th hole (par 5). The 10-under-par score broke the course record by one stroke, previously set by Yeom Eunho (23) in the second round last year and by Choi Hoseong (47) earlier that morning.

It is remarkable that Hong Sunsang sank two long putts over 20 meters. He made a 20-meter putt on the 7th hole (par 3) and an impressive 29-meter birdie putt on the 15th hole (par 3). On the final 18th hole (par 5), he hit a 3-wood shot that landed just 1.5 meters from the hole, securing the eagle. "I took on the role of players' chairman this year and couldn't practice much, so I approached the game with some anxiety," he said. "Lowering my expectations seems to have led to a better score," he cheered.

Choi Hoseong is disappointed as his birdie putt misses on the 18th hole during the first day of the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open. Photo by KPGA

Choi Hoseong started at the 10th hole (par 4) and immediately made an eagle with a 60-degree wedge shot, adding eight birdies (one bogey). He is a player who played a key role in attracting attention with his unique actions on every shot during the 2018 Korean Open, a national title event. Especially his finishing move, which looked like he was about to fall, caught the eye, and Golfweek in the U.S. introduced his swing video, career, and fans' reactions, drawing worldwide attention from golf fans.

In fact, last year in February, he received an invitation to the PGA Tour three times, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, John Deere Classic in July, and the Barracuda Championship. He recorded two Korean Tour wins at the 2008 Hana Tour Championship and the 2011 Lake Hills Open, and has since been active alternating between Korea and Japan. On the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), he has won three times in total: the Indonesia PGA Championship in March 2013, the Casio World Open in November 2018, and the Heiwa PGM Championship last year.

The leading pack is being chased by Lee Changwoo (27) and Lee Junghoon (22), tied for third place at 8-under-par 64. Lee Dongmin (35) made headlines by scoring a hole-in-one on the 12th hole (par 3) from 178 yards with a 7-iron. He is tied for ninth place at 6-under-par 66. Last year's MVP Moon Kyungjun (38) struggled, tied for 73rd at 2-under-par, and 'money king' Lee Sumin (27) also remained at 1-under-par tied for 101st. Defending champion Lee Jaekyung (21, CJ O Shopping) is in this group as well.