Yamaha and Owners K Open Day 1: 9 Birdies and 1 Bogey Lead by 2 Shots, Kang Kyungnam and Yeom Seohyun Tied for 2nd in Chase
Kim Hanbyeol is disappointed after missing an eagle putt on the 2nd hole during the first day of the Yamaha·Owners K Open. Photo by KPGA
[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is the early spurt of Kim Han-byeol (25, SK Telecom).
On the 22nd, at Solago Golf Course in Taean, Chungnam (Par 72, 7,264 yards), Kim swept up 9 birdies (1 bogey) on the first day of the KPGA Korean Tour Yamaha Owners K Open (total prize money 500 million won) to take a 2-point lead (17 points). The event is played in a unique format called the ‘Modified Stableford.’ Points are accumulated at each hole as follows: albatross 8 points, eagle 5 points, birdie 2 points, par 0 points, bogey -1 point, and double bogey or worse -3 points.
Moreover, Kim Han-byeol was motivated by last year’s runner-up finish and the desire for redemption. On the final day, he lost in a playoff against Lee Soo-min (28) and Kim Min-gyu (20, CJ Logistics). With Lee Soo-min’s military enlistment, this year’s title is up for grabs. Kim expressed confidence, saying, "This format suits me perfectly," and "In stroke play, one birdie and one bogey equal even par, but here you can earn points." He also raised expectations by adding, "My putting felt especially good today."
Kang Kyung-nam (38) and Yeom Seo-hyun (30) are tied for 2nd place (15 points), followed by Lee Chang-woo (28) and Park Kyung-nam (37) tied for 4th place (14 points). Kim Sung-hyun (23), who won the JPGA Championship, a major on the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) on the 5th, is tied for 19th place (10 points) with 7 birdies and 4 bogeys. While prize money leader Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) is tied for 25th place (9 points) and looking forward to the second round, ‘Busan Gyeongnam Open champ’ Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) has fallen to a tie for 126th place (0 points).
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