Kim Seong-hyun's Smooth Sailing "3rd Place Finish at PGA Korn Ferry Tour"

Bahama Great Abaco Classic Final Day 6-Under Par 'Top 3' Performance, Hawkins Wins, An Byeonghun Ties for 22nd

Kim Seong-hyun took 3rd place in the Conferry Tour Bahamas Great Abaco Classic. Photo by All That Sports

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Kim Seong-hyun (24, Shinhan Financial Group) is adapting smoothly.

On the 27th (Korean time) at the Great Abaco Golf Club (par 72) in the Bahamas, during the final day of the PGA Korn Ferry Tour Bahamas Great Abaco Classic (total prize money $750,000), he surged with a 6-under-par round to finish 3rd (16-under-par 272). His concentration stood out as he collected 8 birdies (2 bogeys). Following a tie for 19th place at last week's season opener Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, he secured a top 3 finish in only his second tournament, marking a fresh start on the U.S. stage.

Kim Seong-hyun is a player who has claimed both Korean and Japanese majors, winning the 2020 KPGA Championship and last July's Japan PGA Championship on the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO). He advanced to the U.S. by finishing tied for 39th at the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) in November. He earned entry into the first 8 tournaments and now needs to perform well to prepare for re-ranking. If he finishes in the top 25 by year-end, he can advance to the PGA Tour next year.

Brandon Harkins (USA) and Dou Yuecheng (China) were tied at 18-under-par 270 after the 18th hole (par 5), but Harkins recorded a winning par on the second hole of the playoff. He earned his first career Korn Ferry Tour victory and took home $135,000 (approximately 160 million KRW). An Byeong-hoon (31, CJ Logistics) made 5 birdies but also had 2 bogeys and a triple bogey, finishing tied for 22nd (9-under-par 279). Bae Sang-moon (36, Kiwoom Securities) completed the tournament tied for 51st (2-under-par 286).