Choi Min-cheol Leads at 5 Under Par "I Like Uijeong Hills"... Kim Joo-hyung at 2 Under Par

On the First Day of the Korea Open, Amateurs Kim Baekjun and Lee Junseok Join as Co-Leaders, Kang Kyungnam 4th, Park Sanghyun Tied for 5th

Choi Min-cheol is watching the ball immediately after a wood shot on the 18th hole on the first day of the Korean Open. Photo by Korean Open Organizing Committee

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "I like Woojeong Hills."

It's the early surge of 2018 champion Choi Min-cheol (33). On the 24th, at Woojeong Hills Golf Club in Cheonan, Chungnam (par 71, 7,328 yards), the first day of the Kolon 63rd Korea Open (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW), he shot 5 under par to take a share of the lead. Amateurs Kim Baek-jun (20) and Lee Jun-seok (Australia) joined the co-lead, followed by Kang Kyung-nam (38) in 4th place (4 under par, 67 strokes), and Park Sang-hyun (38) tied for 5th (3 under par, 68 strokes). Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics), winner of the SK Telecom Open, stood tied for 8th (2 under par, 69 strokes).

Choi Min-cheol is the player who made headlines by winning his first career victory at this tournament in 2018. Having joined the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour in 2011, it took him a full seven years to become a major champion, which drew even more spotlight. In 2017, he even worked as a golf instructor to cover tour expenses, adding a unique story. After a lull, he has been gaining momentum in the 2021 season with three top-5 finishes in six tournaments.

Choi Min-cheol combined eight birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. He opened the scoring early with three consecutive birdies on holes 10 to 12, and accelerated with a birdie on the 17th hole (par 4). Although a tee shot mistake on the first hole of the back nine (par 4) resulted in a double bogey, he responded with a second streak of three consecutive birdies on holes 3 to 5, and exchanged a birdie on the 7th hole (par 3) for a bogey on the 9th hole (par 4) near the end. "I first competed in 2017 and finished tied for 6th, then won the following year," he said, adding confidence, "I actually feel comfortable at Woojeong Hills, which is known as a tough course."

Kim Joo-hyung is the player to watch. Following his victory at the SK Telecom Open, he is now aiming for a major championship win. He has already secured the top spot in prize money (474.8 million KRW), as well as first place in the points race (2,942.06 points) and lowest scoring average (68.84 strokes), positioning himself to sweep individual titles. Moon Do-yeop (30, DB Insurance) is tied for 12th (1 under par, 70 strokes), and Moon Kyung-jun (39, NH Nonghyup Bank) is tied for 22nd (even par, 70 strokes), both in pursuit. Number two player Heo In-hoe (34) fell to a tie for 111th after struggling with 8 over par.