Lee Taehee "2-Under Par Start~"... Kim Juhyung and Kim Seunghyuk Tied for Lead

SK Telecom Open Round 1 Mostly Postponed Due to Bad Weather, Prize Leader Heo Inhoe Stalls at 1 Over Par

Lee Tae-hee is teeing off at the 12th hole on the first day of the SK Telecom Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Lee Tae-hee (37) has successfully taken the initiative.

On the 10th, at the opening day of the Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour SK Telecom Open (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW) held at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 71, 7,316 yards), he finished tied for 3rd place (2-under 69). Most importantly, he completed the first round despite the severe weather conditions. Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) and Kim Seung-hyuk (35) are tied for the lead at 3-under, just one stroke ahead, but they still have 5 to 6 holes remaining. The majority of players’ matches were postponed to the next day.

Lee Tae-hee recorded 4 birdies and 2 bogeys. Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), he opened the scoring early with consecutive birdies on the 12th and 13th holes, then exchanged 2 birdies and 2 bogeys thereafter. He is the player who set the historic record of the first-ever consecutive wins at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last August. He created an opportunity to reach his 5th career win after 10 months. He cheered, saying, "The wind was strong and the pin positions were tricky, so it was really tough. I am satisfied with the under-par score."

The ‘race for 2 wins’ between prize money ranking No. 1 Heo In-hoe (34) and No. 3 Moon Kyung-jun (39, NH Nonghyup Bank) is ongoing. Both players struggled with 1-over par and are tied for 20th place. The 2019 champion Ham Jung-woo (27, Hana Financial Group) joined this group, challenging to defend his title after 2 years. Meanwhile, last year’s money leader Kim Tae-hoon (36, Bizplay) disappointed, dropping to tied 108th place after a poor 6-over par performance. PGA member Noh Seung-yeol (31) withdrew from the tournament.