Choi Yeon-soo's Youngest Victory Challenge at KPGA Gunsan CC Open, Lee Soo-min's Third Title Attempt, Choi Ho-sung Joins as 'Attraction Card'
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist] "Youngest winner."
The record-breaking challenge of '18-year-old young gun' Kim Joo-hyung (18, CJ Logistics). The Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour 2020 Season Round 2 KPGA Gunsan CC Open (total prize money 500 million KRW) kicked off on the 9th at Gunsan Golf Club Lead & Lake Course (par 71, 7,130 yards) in Gunsan City, Jeonbuk. If he wins, at 18 years and 21 days old, he will break Lee Sang-hee's (28) record as the youngest winner (19 years, 6 months, and 10 days) set at the 2011 NH Nonghyup Open. He can also shorten the shortest period since joining the tour held by Kim Kyung-tae (34) from 125 days to 109 days.
Kim Joo-hyung caused a sensation by winning the Asian (APGA) Tour Panasonic Open last November at just 17 years old. Although born in Seoul, he moved to China at age two and later lived in the Philippines, Australia, and Thailand. This explains his fluency in various languages such as English, Chinese, and Thai. Interestingly, he learned Korean through TV dramas. Thanks to his performance on the APGA Tour, his world ranking has already risen to 113th, the highest among the players participating in this tournament.
Kim Joo-hyung especially regrets the playoff loss on the final day of the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open that ended on the 5th. He made a dramatic playoff by scoring an eagle with a '2-on 1-putt' on the last 18th hole (par 5), but was defeated by Lee Ji-hoon730 (34)'s winning birdie on the first playoff hole. Due to the suspension of the APGA Tour caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he plans to focus on the Korean Tour for the time being. "This time, I will not miss the opportunity," he vowed with determination.
Lee Ji-hoon730 is on a 'march for a second consecutive win,' and 'money king' Lee Soo-min (27) is aiming for his third championship trophy. After winning the Gunsan CC Open as an amateur in 2013, he turned professional in 2015 and reclaimed the Gunsan CC Open title, setting a rare record of 'winning the same tournament as both an amateur and a professional.' In 2016, he gained 'big league' experience by surprising everyone with a win at the European Tour's Shenzhen International before returning to Korea and making a name for himself by winning the Choi Kyung-ju Invitational last October.
'Grand Prize' contenders Moon Kyung-jun (37), Park Sang-hyun (37, Dong-A Pharmaceutical), Choi Jin-ho (36, Hyundai Steel), and Lee Tae-hee (36) have joined the battle for the championship. Another 'Gunsan native,' Joo Heung-chul (39), is a dark horse. He is counting on his perfect compatibility with Gunsan CC, where he won titles in 2014 and 2016. "Both wins were in even-numbered years," he said, adding his ambition: "I will change the atmosphere in the promised land." The 'fisherman swing' Choi Ho-sung (47) remains a popular draw.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
