Kim Juhyung's Teenage Storm '1-Stroke Lead'..."Youngest Winner GO~"

Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open Day 3: 9 Under Par, Seo Yoseop 2nd, Moon Kyungjun and Hong Sunsang Tied 3rd, 2 Strokes Behind

Kim Juhyung is teeing off at the 8th hole on the third day of the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Korea's male golf prospect' Kim Joo-hyung (18, CJ Logistics) is creating a 'teenage whirlwind.'

On the third day of the 2020 Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour season opener, Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), held at Aramir Golf Course in Changwon, Gyeongnam (par 72, 7,245 yards) on the 4th, Kim surged with a 9-under-par round to take the top spot on the leaderboard at 17-under-par 199. Seo Yo-seop (24) is in second place at 16-under-par 200, while Moon Kyung-jun (38, Husem), Hong Soon-sang (39, Danu), and Park Seung (24) are tied for third at 15-under-par 201, continuing the chase.

Starting from a tie for 17th place, 8 strokes behind, Kim Joo-hyung collected 1 eagle and 8 birdies (with 1 bogey). He made a remarkable 6 strokes under par in the first 6 holes with three consecutive birdies from holes 2 to 4, an eagle on the 5th hole (par 5), and a birdie on the 6th hole (par 4). After a bogey on the 7th hole (par 3), he regained momentum with three consecutive birdies from holes 8 to 10 and a birdie on the 14th hole (par 4). His 'pinpoint iron shots' with a green hit rate of 94.44% were outstanding. Leading by 1 stroke, he has a chance to win in his Korean Tour debut.

Kim Joo-hyung is a 'young gun' primarily active on the Asian Tour. Last November, he drew attention by winning his first career title at the Asian Tour Panasonic Open at the age of 17 years and 149 days. This made him the second youngest winner in Asian Tour history. Currently ranked 127th in the world, he is the sixth highest-ranked Korean player. He entered this tournament as a player ranked within the top 300 worldwide. If he wins, he will set a remarkable record as the youngest champion in Korean Tour history at 18 years and 14 days old.

Mungyeongjun is teeing off at the 1st hole on the third day of the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open. Photo by KPGA

Seo Yo-seop added 4 under par and is looking to overtake the lead, while 'Order of Merit' leader Moon Kyung-jun reduced 7 strokes to join the title race. Hong Soon-sang, who led for two days, struggled with 1 over par. Five players including 'money king' Lee Soo-min (27), Lee Dong-ha (38), and Hwang In-chun (46) are tied for 6th place at 14-under-par 202. 'Fisherman swing' Choi Ho-sung (47) lost 2 strokes and dropped to a tie for 19th at 11-under-par 205. Defending champion Lee Jae-kyung (21, CJ O Shopping) is tied for 32nd at 9-under-par 207.