Veteran Park Sang-hyun's "5-Stroke Comeback Show"..."I'm the Opening Round Champ" (Summary)

DB Insurance Promy Open Final Day 4-Under Par '11th Career Win', Lee Hyeongjun and Jo Seongmin Tied for 2nd, Kim Mingyu 5th

Sanghyun Park cheers after making a birdie on the 18th hole on the final day of the DB Insurance Promy Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a comeback drama by veteran Park Sang-hyun (39, Dong-A Pharmaceutical).

On the 17th, at the Old Course (par 71, 7,148 yards) of La Vie Belle Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the final day of the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour 2022 season opener DB Insurance Pro-Am Open (total prize money 700 million KRW), Park shot 4-under par to achieve a one-stroke victory (10-under par 274). This is his 11th career win, seven months after winning the DGB Financial Group Irvine Open last September, with a winner's prize of 140 million KRW. His total career earnings also increased to 4,235,780,000 KRW.

Starting from a tie for 8th place, five strokes behind, Park recorded one eagle, four birdies, and two bogeys. After a bogey on the 2nd hole (par 4), he made consecutive birdies on the 5th and 6th holes and an eagle with a 111m shot on the 8th hole (par 4), beginning his serious pursuit of the lead. In the back nine, after a bogey on the 11th hole (par 4), he reduced one stroke on the 15th hole (par 5) and sank an 8m birdie putt on the 18th hole (par 4) to complete a thrilling come-from-behind victory. He exclaimed, "I feel so good," adding, "My family came, and it gave me great strength."

He continued, "My goal this year is five wins," and smiled brightly, saying, "I will keep working hard." Park Sang-hyun debuted on the Korean Tour in 2005 and is a leading star who won the lowest scoring average award in 2014 and the Genesis money list title in 2018. Last year, he secured two wins, finishing 2nd in the Genesis Grand Prize, 4th in earnings, and 2nd in scoring average. This year, he is playing both the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) and the Korean Tour. In Japan, he won the JT Cup in 2016 and the Fujisankei Classic in 2019.

‘Reservist’ Lee Hyung-joon (30, Welcome Savings Bank) recorded two birdies and three bogeys, tying for 2nd place (9-under par 275). Jo Sung-min (37) and Lee Jun-seok (Australia) also joined this group. Kim Min-gyu (21, CJ Logistics) shot 3-under par to climb to 5th place (8-under par 276). However, a quadruple bogey on the 11th hole (par 4) was disappointing. Lee Sang-yeop (28), who was the leader the previous day, collapsed with a 9-over par and dropped to a tie for 17th place (2-under par 282).