‘Europe-based’ Lee Tae-hee and Moon Kyung-jun "‘Korean Power’ in Doha~"

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Storm Challenge "Ready for 3 Consecutive Tournaments~", Stone and Hend 'Title Contenders'

'European-based players' Lee Tae-hee (left) and Moon Kyung-jun showcase 'Korean Power' at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the Doha trip for 'Europeans' Lee Tae-hee (37, OK Savings Bank) and Moon Kyung-jun (39, NH Nonghyup Bank).

The European Tour Commercial Bank Qatar Masters (total prize money $1.5 million), held at the Education City Golf Club in Doha, Qatar (par 71, 7,307 yards) on the night of the 11th (Korean time), is a fierce battleground. Following this tournament, they will participate in three consecutive European events: the Magical Kenya Open (March 18-21), and the Kenya Savannah Classic (March 23-26). They are participating with the benefit of exemption from self-quarantine for overseas players granted by the European Tour and the host country's government.

They stay only at the tournament venue and hotel, and remain for just one week under 'conditional' terms. They departed for Qatar on the night of the 6th and plan to move directly to Kenya after finishing the tournament on the 14th. Lee Tae-hee earned a full European Tour card by finishing 3rd in the 2019 Asian (APGA) Tour money list. Although normally only the 1st place gets the opportunity, since 1st place Jazz Watannon (Thailand) and 2nd place Scott Hend (Australia) already hold cards, the chance came to Lee Tae-hee.

Lee Tae-hee debuted in the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) in 2006 but is a late bloomer star who won his first title at the 2015 NEPS Heritage. He then added three more wins, reaching his prime in his 30s. Especially after marrying Kwon Bo-min, a manager at a sports management company, in 2016, he has been on a winning streak. Last year, when the 'Young Gun Storm' was strong, he won the Maekyung Open, becoming the first player in the history of this tournament, established in 1982, to successfully defend the title.

Moon Kyung-jun won once at the 2015 Maekyung Open. In 2019, he won four titles including the lowest scoring average award, and especially earned a 'direct ticket to Europe' as the 1st place in the Korean Tour Genesis Point Ranking (Grand Prize). The European Tour was suspended last year due to COVID-19, and those with tour cards were already granted eligibility to play this year. Last year, he entered the 'Top 10' five times and ranked 14th in prize money (181.63 million KRW).

Lee Tae-hee and Moon Kyung-jun trained at Gangchon Resort. "The weather was good, so I am satisfied with the training results," they said, adding, "We have completed preparations through physical fitness, strength training, and practice rounds." Brandon Stone (South Africa) is the favorite to win. He has three career wins on the European Tour and finished 2nd last month at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Hend, Pablo Larraz?bal (Spain), Georgi Koevche (South Africa), and Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) are also participating.