GS Caltex Maekyung Open Day 2: Ham Jeong-woo, Jang Yu-bin, and Heo In-hoe Tied for Lead; Lee Ki-sang, Kim Bi-o, and Seo Hyung-seok Tied for 5th, One Stroke Behind
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] It is the "storm shot" of 20-year-old young gun Kim Min-gyu (CJ Logistics).
On the 7th, at Namseoul Golf Club in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province (Par 71, 7,057 yards), during the second day of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW), he surged to a tie for first place (5-under 137) with a daily best of 6-under. Ham Jung-woo (27, Hana Financial Group), amateur Jang Yoo-bin (19, 1st year at Korea National Sport University), and Heo In-hoe (34) are tied for first place. Lee Ki-sang (35), Kim Bi-o (31), and Seo Hyung-seok (24) are chasing in a tie for 5th place, one stroke behind (4-under 138).
Kim Min-gyu is a next-generation prospect who, at just 16 years old, swept two wins on the 2017 European EuroPro (3rd tier) Tour. In 2018, he immediately moved up to the Challenge (2nd tier) Tour and set the record as the youngest winner at the Czech Challenge (17 years and 64 days). Last year, due to the impact of COVID-19, he appeared on the domestic stage, making headlines again with consecutive runner-up finishes at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open and KPGA Open in July. He secured his 2021 season ticket by ranking 22nd on the Korean Tour money list.
On this day, he recorded seven birdies and one bogey. Kim Min-gyu expressed confidence, saying, "All my shots were good." The first-day leader Park Kyung-nam (37) fell to a tie for 9th place (2-under 140) after struggling with 3-over par. Defending champion Lee Tae-hee (37) joined this group. After winning in 2019 and 2020, he is aiming for a three-peat this year. Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is tied for 12th place (1-under 141), and KPGA Gunsan CC Open winner Kim Dong-eun (24) remained tied for 45th place (4-over 146).
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