Long Drive King Seo Yoseop's Power "7-Under Par Surge"... Kim Mingyu, Choi Mincheol, and Kim Taeho 'Tied for Lead'

Day 2 of Woori Financial Championship: Hyun Jeong-hyeop 4th at 1 Stroke Behind, 5th Place, Park Sang-hyun 34th, Kim Bi-o and Park Chan-ho 'Cut Off'

Seo Yoseop is teeing off on the 18th hole on the second day of the Woori Financial Championship. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the power of long hitter Seo Yo-seop (26, DB Insurance).

On the 13th, at Ferrum Golf Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 7,216 yards), during the second day of the newly established Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour Woori Financial Championship (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW), he surged with a 7-under-par to leap to 4th place (6-under-par 138 strokes). Kim Min-gyu (21, CJ Logistics) and Choi Min-cheol (34, Daebo Construction) both recorded 3-under-par to rise to a tie for first place (7-under-par 137 strokes). Kim Tae-ho (27, Rahyeon Korean Medicine Hospital), who was the leader the previous day, also added 2-under-par to join this group.

Seo Yo-seop started from a tie for 46th place, 6 strokes behind, and swept up 9 birdies (2 bogeys). After a birdie on the 11th hole (par 4) was offset by a bogey on the 12th hole (par 5), he changed the momentum with a birdie on the 14th hole (par 3), then fired four consecutive birdies from the 16th to the 1st hole. Following that, he made 'stepping stone birdies' on the 4th and 6th holes, and recovered from a bogey on the 8th hole (par 3) with a birdie on the final 9th hole (par 5). He is just one stroke behind the joint leaders, aiming for his 4th career win after 8 months since his victory at the Shinhan Donghae Open last September.

Seo Yo-seop first won his career title at the KEB Hana Bank Invitational in June 2019, joined the major champions by winning the KPGA Championship last August, and secured his second win of the season at the Shinhan Donghae Open. Known for his long drives, he ranked first in average driving distance in 2019 (303 yards). He even hit a maximum of 360 yards on this day. Seo said, "My tee shots have become more accurate, giving me many opportunities," and added, "I will focus on my tee shots and play carefully tomorrow as well."

Sanghyun Park is teeing off at the 12th hole on the second day of the Woori Financial Championship. Photo by KPGA

Hyun Jung-hyeop (39, Webcash Group) is tied for 5th place (5-under-par 139 strokes), and five players including Lee Tae-hoon (Canada) are tied for 7th place (4-under-par 140 strokes), eyeing a comeback. Heo In-hoe (35, Geumgang Housing) is tied for 12th place (3-under-par 141 strokes), and 'DB Insurance champ' Park Sang-hyun (39, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is tied for 34th place (even par 143 strokes). On the other hand, 'Maekyung Open champ' Kim Bi-o (32, Hoban Construction) is tied for 100th place (6-over-par 150 strokes), and former Major League pitcher Park Chan-ho (49) is cut off at 141st place (33-over-par 177 strokes).