Kim Bi-o "Regrettable Runner-up in Thailand"... 'Domestic No. 1' Kim Joo-hyung Ranks 7th

Asian Tour Laguna Phuket Championship Final Day 2-Over Par Struggles, Kongwatmai Comeback Victory, Kim Hong-taek 5th Place

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Just 2% short."

It was a disappointing runner-up finish for Kim Bi-o (31, Hoban Construction, photo), who led for three days. On the final day of the Asian Tour Laguna Phuket Championship (total prize money $1 million) held on the 5th at Laguna Golf Phuket (par 70) in Phuket, Thailand, he faltered with a 2-over-par round and finished tied for 2nd place (9-under-par 271). Patchara Kongwatmai (Thailand) secured the victory by one stroke (10-under-par 270). The winner's prize was $180,000 (about 213 million KRW). From Korea, Kim Hong-taek (28) tied for 5th place (8-under-par 272), and ‘domestic number 1’ Kim Joo-hyung (19) finished tied for 7th place (7-under-par 273).

Kim Bi-o showed an impressive early surge with 8-under-par on the first day. He added 4-under-par on the second day to lead by two strokes, and although he stumbled with 1-over-par on the third day, he still remained near the top of the leaderboard. However, on the final day, his iron shots faltered, resulting in 2 birdies and 4 bogeys, losing 2 strokes. Four bogeys came on five holes including holes 1-2 and 4-5, which halted his momentum. Following a tie for 4th place at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship, he was satisfied with back-to-back top 5 finishes.

Kim Bi-o was the winner of the Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour 2021 season finale, the LG Signature Players Championship, on the 7th of last month. He recorded a course record of 9-under-par on the final day to claim a commanding 6-stroke victory. His story attracted even more spotlight due to a three-year suspension penalty he received for making a finger gesture during the 2019 DGB Financial Group Volvik Daegu Gyeongbuk Open. He returned last July after a special pardon and is now expanding his career into the Asian Tour.