AT&T Byron Nelson Final Day: 6-Under Par Grit in Bad Weather Secures 3-Stroke Victory After Exactly 80 Games
Lee Kyung-hoon is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson. McKinney, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist] "The 8th Korean champion in history."
Lee Kyung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics) finally secured his first victory on the PGA Tour. On the 17th (Korean time) at the Craig Ranch Golf Course in McKinney, Texas (Par 72, 7,468 yards), he shot 6-under on the final day of the AT&T Byron Nelson (total prize money $8.1 million) to complete a commanding 3-stroke victory (25-under 263). It took exactly 80 events since he entered the PGA Tour in 2019, qualifying as 5th on the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour money list. The winner's prize money is $1,458,000 (16.5 billion KRW).
Starting one stroke behind in 2nd place, Lee combined 8 birdies and 2 bogeys. It is interesting that he faced off in the final group with the previous day’s leader Sam Burns (USA) and made a 3 consecutive birdies from holes 2 to 4 to take the lead in one go. He made “stepping stone birdies” on holes 6 and 8, and although his tee shot on the par-5 9th hole drifted right resulting in a bogey, he recovered with a birdie on the par-5 12th hole, maintaining an overwhelming play that kept his pursuers at least 3 strokes behind throughout the round.
It is worth noting his strong mental toughness in the final stages. At the par-4 16th hole, with a 4.5m par putt remaining, play was suspended for about 2 hours and 30 minutes due to lightning, but after a bogey, he made consecutive birdies on holes 17 and 18. He combined a maximum 315-yard long drive with a green hit rate of 77.78% and “needle-like iron shots,” and above all, his “stingy putting” averaging 1.50 putts per hole stood out. He cheered, "Today was truly perfect," and said, "I’m even happier because I waited so long."
Lee Kyung-hoon is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the final day of the AT&T Byron Nelson. McKinney, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits
Lee Kyung-hoon was the gold medalist in the team golf event at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. He moved to Japan and became a two-time champion with wins at the 2012 Nagashima Shigeo and 2015 Honma Tour World Cup, and achieved back-to-back victories at the Korean Open, known as Korea’s national title, in 2016 and 2017. On the PGA Tour, he showed potential with a tie for 3rd at the Zurich Classic in April 2019 and gradually approached the winner’s circle with a tie for 2nd at the Waste Management Phoenix Open last February.
He is the 8th Korean champion in history, following “Tank” Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom, 8 wins), Yang Yong-eun (49, 2 wins), Bae Sang-moon (35, 2 wins), Noh Seung-yul (31, 1 win), Kim Si-woo (26, 3 wins), Kang Sung-hoon (34, 1 win), and Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics). The defending champion of this tournament is Kang Sung-hoon. The AT&T Byron Nelson has ultimately become a “promised land” where three Korean players, including Bae Sang-moon in 2013, have earned their first career wins.
Burns finished with 2-under and settled for 2nd place (22-under 266). Patton Kizzire led the daily best with 9-under to tie for 3rd (21-under 267), joined by Daniel Berger and Scott Stallings (both USA), and Charl Schwartzel (South Africa). World No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) tied for 34th (13-under 275), and Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) tied for 39th (12-under 276). For Korea, Kang Sung-hoon tied for 47th (11-under 277), and Kim Si-woo tied for 55th (10-under 278).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
