Seonghyun Kim Announces Entry for Korean Tour SK Telecom Open Starting on the 2nd: "Competing for Victory on the Domestic Stage," with Sanghyun Park Joining
[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "The goal is obviously to win."
'PGA member' Kim Seong-hyun (24, Shinhan Financial Group) and 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (52, SK Telecom) have made a rare 'Korea visit.' The SK Telecom Open (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW), part of the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA), opens on the 2nd at Pinx Golf Club (par 71, 7,326 yards) in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, and is a fierce battleground. Defending champion Kim Ju-hyung (20, CJ Logistics) is competing in the Asian Tour International Series supported by Saudi Arabia during the same period, while 'top money winner' Kim Bi-o (32) and 'top award winner' Park Eun-shin (32) are defending their titles.
Kim Seong-hyun has two major wins in total in Korea and Japan: the Korean Tour KPGA Championship in August 2020 and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) Japan PGA Championship in July last year. In May, at the JGTO Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament, he drew even more spotlight by shooting '12-under 58' on the final day with two eagles and eight birdies. This is the second record in JGTO history after Ryo Ishikawa (Japan, August 2016, Junichi Crowns 4 rounds).
In November, he finished tied for 39th at the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) and moved to the U.S. this year, securing his PGA Tour card for next year with consistent performances including two runner-ups and one third place. Currently ranked 2nd in Korn Ferry Tour points (939 points), if he finishes in the 'top 25' by the end of the year, he will advance to the 2023 PGA Tour season. This is his first domestic event in 10 months since the Yamaha Owners K Open last July. Kim Seong-hyun also expressed his fighting spirit, saying, "I will do my best in every round."
'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju is aiming for his fourth championship trophy at the sponsor stage SK Telecom Open.
Choi Kyung-ju's performance is another point of interest. He is a veteran who has won three times in 2003, 2005, and 2008. It is interesting that Choi Jin-ho (38) is challenging the record for most wins, tying with those years in 2015 and 2017. Kim Bi-o, the 2012 champion, is on an upward trend, having reclaimed the title at the Maeil Business Newspaper Open earlier this month after 10 years. Past champions such as Park Sang-hyun (39, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) in 2009, Lee Sang-hee (30) in 2016, and Ham Jung-woo (28) in 2019 have also joined the field.
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