Jeong Taeyang Surprises as Leader "Back-to-Back 8-Under Par Storm Shots"... Lee Junseok in 2nd Place

Hana Bank Invitational Day 3: Lee Gyumin and Go Guntaek Tied for 3rd, Lee Taehee Tied for 5th

Jung Taeyang is examining the putting line on the 12th hole on the third day of the Hana Bank Invitational. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is the ‘unknown whirlwind’ of Jeong Taeyang (22).

On the 18th, at Namchuncheon Golf Course in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 7,249 yards), Jeong Taeyang surged with an 8-under-par on the third day of the KPGA Hana Bank Invitational (total prize money 1 billion KRW), quickly taking the top spot on the leaderboard (17-under-par 199 strokes). A former national team reserve, he debuted on the Korean Tour in 2018 but lost his tour card and played on the Korean and Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) second-tier tours before returning this year after going through the KPGA Srixon (second-tier) tour last year.

Jeong Taeyang especially drew the spotlight with back-to-back 8-under-par storm shots. He made 8 birdies the previous day, and on this day, he recorded 9 birdies and 1 bogey, including three consecutive birdies from holes 2 to 4. His green hit rate of 83.33% and ‘pinpoint iron shots’ stood out. He said, "My scores used to vary greatly depending on my mood, but recently I’ve been trying to maintain a positive mindset, and my results have improved." He added his determination, "I want to play well tomorrow too."

Lee Jun-seok (Australia) is the player to watch. He is in second place, one stroke behind (16-under-par 200 strokes), seemingly warming up firmly ahead of next week’s ‘national title’ Korean Open title defense. Lee Gyumin (22) and Go Guntaek (23) are tied for third place (14-under-par 202 strokes), while the previous day’s leader Lee Taehee (38) faltered with a 1-under-par round, dropping to a tie for fifth place (13-under-par 203 strokes). Ryu Hyunwoo (41) attracted off-course attention by playing with his elementary school son as caddie in rounds 1 and 2, and with his wife as caddie on this day, rising to a tie for 35th place (6-under-par 140 strokes).