'2nd Place Winner' Park Sang-hyun "2nd Place by 1 Stroke"... 'Top Prize Money' Kim Joo-hyung "4th Place by 3 Strokes"

DGB Financial Group Irvine Open Day 2: Kim Young-su Leads, Kim Han-byul 6th, Seo Yo-seop Tied 9th in Chase

Sanghyun Park is teeing off on the 14th hole on the second day of the DGB Financial Group Irvine Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Second place contender’ Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is cruising smoothly.

On the 17th, at the Pami Hills Golf Course in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk (Par 71, 7,215 yards), the second day of the KPGA Korean Tour DGB Financial Group Irvine Open (total prize money 500 million KRW) saw Park shoot 6 under par to rise to second place (10 under par, 132 strokes). Kim Young-soo (32, PNS Holdings) posted the daily best score of 7 under par to leap to the lead by one stroke (11 under par, 131 strokes). Due to fog and heavy rain, play was delayed by 2 hours and 10 minutes, and 50 players were unable to complete their second round.

Starting from a tie for 6th place, two strokes behind, Park Sang-hyun collected seven birdies and one bogey. Beginning at the 10th hole (par 4), after stepping stones birdies at the 11th and 13th holes, he made a birdie at the 17th hole (par 4) but lost it with a bogey at the 18th hole (par 5). In the back nine, he showed flawless play with consecutive birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes and additional birdies at the 6th and 9th holes. He trails the leader by one stroke, aiming for his second win of the season and 10th career victory, two months after winning the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open in July.

"My putting was good, which helped me reduce many strokes," said Park Sang-hyun. "Since the rough is long, precise play is necessary. If I keep this momentum for the remaining two days, I believe I can achieve a good result," he expressed confidence. ‘Top money winner’ Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) added 2 under par to sit in a tie for 4th place (8 under par, 134 strokes). ‘Yamaha Owners K Open Champion’ Kim Han-byul (25, SK Telecom) is in 6th place (7 under par), and ‘two-time winner’ Seo Yo-seop (25, DB Insurance) is tied for 9th place (5 under par, 137 strokes).