'Korean Hulk' Jeong Chan-min "Surprise Leader in Debut"... "Did You See the 355-Yard Long Drive?"

KPGA 2022 Season Opening DB Insurance Promy Open Day 1: Park Sang-hyun Tied for Lead at 6 Under Par, Ham Jeong-woo Tied for 3rd in Chase

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "I am Korea's DeChambeau."

Top rookie Jeong Chan-min (23) surged to a surprising lead on the first day of the KPGA 2022 season opener, the DB Insurance Pro-Am Open (total prize money 700 million KRW), held on the Old Course (par 71, 7,148 yards) at La Vie Belle Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province on the 14th, shooting 6 under par. It is even more remarkable that this tournament is his debut. A former national team member, he secured two wins last year on the Srixon (2nd tier) Tour and confidently advanced to the Korean Tour this year as the 'top money winner.'

Jeong Chan-min, a giant standing 188 cm tall and weighing 115 kg, is especially famous as a long hitter averaging 320 yards. He is comparable to Bryson DeChambeau (323.7 yards), the longest hitter on the PGA Tour. In fact, on the 15th hole (par 5) that day, he demonstrated tremendous power by hitting 354.9 yards. He started strong with six birdies and one bogey, including a birdie on the first hole, the 10th (par 4). He gained momentum with 'stepping stone birdies' on the 15th and 17th holes and three consecutive birdies on holes 4 to 6 in the back nine. Although he had his only bogey on the 7th hole (par 3) near the end, he recovered with a birdie on the 9th hole (par 4).

It is noteworthy that Jeong Chan-min's five tee shots with a 3-wood nearly reached 300 yards. He said, "Usually about 295 yards," and added, "Unlike the Srixon Tour, the course setup is tricky, so I think I need to clearly distinguish between attack holes and defense holes to strategize." He expressed determination, saying, "Being in the lead today is not important," and "I will try to play like today for the remaining three days." He also showed strong confidence, saying, "The more galleries there are, the more excited I get."

Last year's 'Player of the Year runner-up' Park Sang-hyun (39, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) joined the co-lead with one eagle, five birdies, and one bogey. He said, "The effect of carefully studying the course, including an eagle shot on the 6th hole, was significant," and fired up his fighting spirit, saying, "I will aim for the opening victory." The leading group is led by Ham Jeong-woo (28) and Kim Dong-eun (25), tied for 3rd at 5 under par, and Kim Min-gyu (21) in a group tied for 6th at 4 under par. Defending champion Moon Do-yeop (31, DB Insurance) struggled with 2 over par and remained tied for 96th place.