AT&T Byron Nelson Final Day 9-Under Par Surge for Comeback Victory, 'Texas Boy' Spieth 1 Stroke Behind in 2nd, World No.1 Scheffler Tied 15th
Lee Kyung-hoon is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson. McKinney, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multhibits
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "It feels like a dream."
Lee Kyung-hoon (31, CJ Logistics) became the first Korean player to successfully defend a title on the PGA Tour. On the 16th (Korean time) at the Craig Ranch Golf Course in McKinney, Texas (par 72, 7,468 yards), he shot 9-under-par on the final day of the AT&T Byron Nelson (total prize money $9.1 million) to clinch a come-from-behind victory with a total score of 26-under-par 262. This is the first time in 22 years since Tom Watson (USA) achieved a 'three-peat' from 1978 to 1980 in the history of this tournament. The winner's prize money is $1,638,000 (2.1 billion KRW).
Lee Kyung-hoon was a gold medalist in the team golf event at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. He won twice on the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO), including the Nagashima Shigeo in 2012 and the Honma Tour World Cup in 2015, and achieved back-to-back victories at the Korean Open, known as Korea's national title, in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, he ranked 5th on the PGA Korn Ferry Tour money list, which allowed him to move to the U.S. in 2019, where he showed potential with a tie for 3rd at the Zurich Classic in April and a tie for 2nd at the Phoenix Open in February 2020.
After winning this tournament last May, he joined the ranks of the eighth Korean champions in history, following 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (52, SK Telecom, 8 wins), Yang Yong-eun (50, 2 wins), Bae Sang-moon (36, 2 wins), Noh Seung-yul (32, 1 win), Kim Si-woo (27, 3 wins), Kang Sung-hoon (35, 1 win), and Im Sung-jae (24, 2 wins). It is interesting that the AT&T Byron Nelson has been called the 'promised land' for Korean players, with Bae Sang-moon winning in 2013, Kang Sung-hoon in 2019, and Lee Kyung-hoon achieving back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022.
Lee Kyung-hoon is cheering after successfully making a par save on the 17th hole on the final day of the AT&T Byron Nelson. McKinney, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits
Starting the day tied for 6th place, 4 strokes behind, Lee Kyung-hoon made 1 eagle and 7 birdies. He made two pairs of consecutive birdies on holes 2-3 and 5-6, and energized himself with a birdie on the 9th hole (par 5). The highlight was an eagle on the 12th hole (par 5) with a '2-on 1-putt'. From 238 yards, he hit a 4-iron shot that landed just 1.2 meters from the hole. He followed with a birdie on the 13th hole (par 4), and a par on the 14th hole (par 4) after a '1-on 3-putt', which was somewhat disappointing. Notably, Lee Kyung-hoon made a 'big par' on the 17th hole (par 3).
His tee shot landed outside the bunker, but his stance was inside the bunker. After sinking a 3.3-meter par-saving putt, he clenched his fist and cheered, seemingly aware of the tense situation. He finished with a '2-on 2-putt' tap-in birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5). With a maximum drive of 327 yards and a green hit rate of 66.67%, his standout feature was an average of just 1.58 putts per hole, demonstrating exceptional putting. He is already looking ahead to the second major of the season, the PGA Championship, which starts on the night of the 19th.
Lee Kyung-hoon is taking a commemorative photo with his family immediately after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson. McKinney, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Mulbits
"Today, since there was a considerable gap from the leaders, I played with the thought of preparing for next week's major rather than focusing on winning," said Lee Kyung-hoon. He added, "The eagle on the 12th hole was huge," and introduced, "I have greatly benefited from recently switching to a two-ball putter." He also said, "Playing alongside former and current world number ones Spieth and Scheffler in rounds 1 and 2 gave me an opportunity to rethink various technical shots," and expressed his determination, "I want to achieve better results on the major stage."
'Texas boy' Jordan Spieth (USA) stopped his late charge at 2nd place, 1 stroke behind (25-under-par 263). He missed a 2.8-meter birdie putt on the 17th hole but was satisfied with a birdie on the 18th. Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) and Sebastian Munoz (Colombia) tied for 3rd place (24-under-par 264), and Xander Schauffele, the 'Tokyo Olympic gold medalist,' tied for 5th place (23-under-par 265). World number 1 Scottie Scheffler (both USA) added 3-under-par to finish tied for 15th (19-under-par 269). Sponsor exemption Kim Joo-hyung (20) finished tied for 17th (18-under-par 270).
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