'Korean Express' Park Chan-ho "Competing in Korean Tour Gunsan CC Open"

350-Yard Renowned Long Hitter, Sponsor Invitation with 'Handicap 3' or Below Condition Met: "I Will Do My Best"

Park Chan-ho is shown swinging while participating in the 2019 Celebrity Pro-Am. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The "Korean Express" Park Chan-ho (48) will participate in the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour.

He will appear as a recommended player in the Gunsan CC Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), held for four days starting from the 29th at Gunsan Golf Course in Jeonbuk. The tournament title sponsor can recommend professional or amateur players up to 10% of the number of participating players. For amateurs, eligibility requires experience as a national team reserve or higher, a top 5 finish in a nationwide tournament organized by the Korea Golf Association, or a handicap of 3 or lower. Park Chan-ho meets the condition of having a handicap of 3 or lower.

He said, "I am grateful for the invitation" and "I will do my best not to be a burden to the professional players." Park Chan-ho is a player who recorded 124 wins in Major League Baseball in the United States. He is famous for a maximum head speed of 137 miles per hour and drives of around 350 yards. He entered the 70s score range just four months after starting golf and has the ability to shoot under par occasionally. From 2018, he participated in the Huons Celebrity Pro-Am as a celebrity for two years.

In 2018, he recorded 331 yards in a long drive competition event, beating players such as Hur In-hoe (34) and Lee Seung-taek (26) to take first place. Also, as a celebrity participant, he teamed up with Kim Young-woong (23) to win the team championship. In March this year, he participated in the KPGA Srixon (2nd division) Tour first tournament qualifier held at Gunsan CC, finishing tied for 121st out of 132 players (10 over par, 81 strokes). In the second qualifier, he also failed to advance to the main event, finishing tied for 84th out of 134 players (4 over par, 75 strokes).