Kim Min-gyu's 8-Under Par Storm Shots "No Problem with Jet Lag"... What About Defending Champion Seo Yo-seop?

Hana Bank Invitational Day 1: Yusonggyu Leads by 2 Strokes, Yusonggyu and Junghanmil Tied for 2nd, Jaekyung Lee Tied for 13th at 3 Under Par

Kim Min-gyu is teeing off at the 15th hole on the first day of the Hana Bank Invitational. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "8-under par storm shots."

‘20-year-old young gun’ Kim Min-gyu (CJ Logistics) surged to an 8-under par on the first day of the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Hana Bank Invitational (total prize money 1 billion KRW) held on the 21st at Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon (par 71, 7,208 yards), taking a 2-stroke lead. He is a next-generation prospect who won two titles on the European EuroPro (3rd tier) Tour at the young age of just 16 in 2017. In 2018, he was immediately promoted to the Challenge (2nd tier) Tour and set the youngest winner record (17 years and 64 days) at the Czech Challenge.

Last year, due to the impact of COVID-19, he appeared on the domestic stage and made headlines again with back-to-back runner-up finishes at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open and KPGA Open in July, ranking 22nd in the prize money rankings and securing his Korean Tour 2021 season card. This year, having only one ‘Top 10’ finish in 14 tournaments is somewhat disappointing. However, on this day, he swept up 9 birdies (1 bogey). It is interesting that he returned home after experiencing the PGA Tour’s The CJ Cup right after the Genesis Championship ended on the 11th.

Kim Min-gyu started well with consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2, and recovered from a bogey on hole 3 (par 3) with a birdie on hole 5 (par 4). The highlight was four consecutive birdies from holes 7 to 10. On hole 7 (par 3), he holed an 11-yard chip shot, and the other three holes also saw putts from 5 to 10 yards drop in smoothly. He added two more birdies on holes 12 and 17. He expressed confidence, saying, "I have adjusted well to the time difference," and "My green play has improved since I recently changed from a blade-type putter to a mallet-type."

Sanghyun Park is hitting a drive shot on the 1st hole on the first day of the Hana Bank Invitational. Photo by KPGA

Yoo Song-gyu (25) and Jung Han-mil (30) are tied for 2nd place at 6-under par, followed by Jeon Jae-han (31) in 4th place at 5-under par. Genesis Championship champion Lee Jae-kyung (22, CJ O Shopping) is challenging for a ‘second consecutive win’ from a tie for 13th place at 3-under par, and money list leader Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is set to continue to the second round from a tie for 35th place at 1-under par. The title defense of 2019 winner Seo Yo-seop (25, DB Insurance) is a thorny path. After a shaky round with 3 birdies, 2 bogeys, and 1 double bogey, he fell to a tie for 66th place and is hurrying his steps.