Kim Seong-hyun's 'Surprise Victory'... "Winning a Major After Monday Qualifiers"

Korean Tour Major KPGA Championship Final Day '1-Stroke Victory', Ham Jeong-woo and Lee Jae-kyung Tied for 2nd Place

Kim Seong-hyun is cheering immediately after winning the KPGA Championship. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Winning a major after Monday qualifiers."

It is a "surprise victory" for Kim Seong-hyun (22). On the final day of the KPGA Championship (total prize money 1 billion KRW) held on the 9th at A-One Golf Course in Yangsan, Gyeongnam (par 70, 6,950 yards), he shot 3-under par to achieve a 1-stroke come-from-behind victory (5-under par 275). This tournament is also a major on the Korean Tour. With the winner's prize of 180 million KRW, he immediately rose to first place in the money rankings and secured a 5-year tour card along with a ticket to the PGA Tour's The CJ Cup.

Kim Seong-hyun is a next-generation prospect who was a former national team member. He debuted last year on the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) and is currently active on the Srixon (2nd tier) Tour this year, having made his presence known with a win in the third event in June. He passed the Monday qualifier on the 3rd for this tournament. It is surprising that he became a major champion in just two tournaments after finishing tied for 45th in last month's KPGA Open. He added, "I still can't believe I won."

Starting the day tied for 8th place, 4 strokes behind, he recorded 4 birdies and 1 bogey. After exchanging a birdie on the 3rd hole (par 4) with a bogey on the 4th hole (par 3), he secured back-to-back birdies on the 8th and 9th holes to take a share of the lead. The highlight was a "hole-in-one-like birdie" on the 17th hole (par 3). He took a 1-stroke lead and maintained it to become the champion. Kim Seong-hyun said, "While practicing putting in preparation for a playoff, I watched the broadcast on my smartphone," and expressed his determination, "I will build my skills on the domestic stage and challenge the PGA Tour."

Third-round leader Ham Jeong-woo (26) lost a stroke and dropped to a tie for 2nd place (4-under par 276). He made an unusual scorecard with a bogey on the 10th hole (par 4) and pars on the remaining 17 holes. Lee Jae-kyung (21, CJ O Shopping) surged with a 5-under par round to join the tie for 2nd place. Kang Kyung-nam (37) is tied for 4th place (3-under par 277), and defending champion Lee Won-jun (Australia) is tied for 14th place (even par 280). "Order of Merit leader" Lee Soo-min (27) also remained tied for 20th place (1-over par 281).