'19-year-old Young Gun' Kim Juhyung 1 Stroke Behind in 2nd Place "Challenging for Major Victory"... Lee Junseok Leads for Three Days

Day 3 of Korea Open: Kim Bi-o at 1 Under Par Tied 3rd, Kang Kyung-nam Tied 5th, Kim Tae-hoon, Park Sang-hyun, and Lee Tae-hee Tied 8th

Kim Juhyung is reading the putting line on the first hole on the third day of the Korean Open. Photo by Korean Open Organizing Committee

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a major victory opportunity for the '19-year-old young gun' Kim Joo-hyung (CJ Logistics).

On the 26th, at Chungnam Cheonan Woojeong Hills Golf Club (par 71, 7,328 yards), the third day of the Kolon 63rd Korean Open (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW), he reduced one stroke to rise to 2nd place (7-under 206). Lee Jun-seok (Australia) maintained the lead (8-under 205), while Park Eun-shin (31) and Kim Bi-o (31, Hoban Construction) are tied for 3rd place (6-under 207), and Kang Kyung-nam (38, Yooyoung Pharmaceutical) and Hyun Jung-hyeop (38) are tied for 5th place (4-under 209), engaging in a chase.

Kim Joo-hyung started in 3rd place, one stroke behind, recording one eagle, two birdies, and three bogeys. After a slump with one birdie and two bogeys over 13 holes, he showed strong finishing power with an eagle on the 14th hole and a birdie on the 15th hole. However, the bogey on the 17th hole (par 4) was regrettable. He is one stroke behind the leader, aiming for his second win of the season since his victory at the SK Telecom Open on the 13th. He is currently ranked 1st in prize money (47.48 million KRW), 1st in the MVP points (2942.06 points), and 1st in average score (68.84 strokes).

Lee Jun-seok added one under par, maintaining the top of the leaderboard for three consecutive days. He has yet to win on the Korean Tour, with two runner-up finishes as his best results. "As I practice at Woojeong Hills, the Korean Open is a tournament I want to win," he said, adding, "I will keep my mind straight so I don't fall from this position." Kim Tae-hoon (36) jumped to a tie for 8th place (2-under 211) by shooting five under, including a hole-in-one. Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) and Lee Tae-hee (37, OK Savings Bank) are also in this group.