Asiad CC Busan Open Day 2: Lee Sang-yeop Leads by 1 Stroke at 4 Under, Jo Min-gyu 3rd, Kim Min-gyu and Shin Sang-hoon Tied 4th
Hwang Jung-gon is teeing off at the 11th hole on the second day of the Asia CC Busan Open. Photo by KPGA
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Hwang Jung-gon (30) is a ‘real man’.
He enlisted right after the 2019 season and was discharged last November. Traveling between Korea and Japan, he secured 2 wins on the domestic stage including the 2014 Maeil Dairy Open, and 4 wins on the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) including the 2011 Mizuno Open, the 2012 and 2015 Casio World Open, and the 2019 Mynavi ABC Championship. He returned to the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour this year, but has not won since his KPGA Championship victory in 2017, over five years ago.
Hwang Jung-gon is showing form close to the top this season. He has participated in 8 tournaments, consistently making it to the final rounds, and has entered the ‘Top 10’ three times. In his second tournament after discharge, the April GS Caltex Maekyung Open, he finished tied for 10th, marking his first ‘Top 10’. Following that, he was runner-up at the KPGA Championship on the 12th of last month and tied for 5th at the Hana Bank Invitational on the 19th. He ranks 7th in the Genesis Points (2115.2 points) and 9th in the prize money rankings (245.1 million KRW).
‘Reservist’ Hwang Jung-gon has grabbed another chance to win. On the 1st, at the second day of the Asiad CC Busan Open (total prize money 800 million KRW) held at Busan Asiad Golf Course (par 71, 7,056 yards), he surged with a 4-under-par round to take the solo lead by one stroke (7-under-par 135). Starting tied for 4th, one stroke behind, he recorded 6 birdies and 2 bogeys. Hwang said, "I’m glad to be back on the field I missed during military service," and added, "I gained confidence as my results have been good since the start of the season."
Lee Sang-yeop is making an iron shot on the 14th hole during the second day of the Asiad CC Busan Open. Photo by KPGA
He continued, "Above all, I enjoy playing in every tournament," and expressed confidence, saying, "I think my lacking short game will naturally regain its feel as I compete in more tournaments." Lee Sang-yeop (28) is in 2nd place (6-under-par 136), and last week’s Korean Open runner-up Cho Min-kyu (34) is in 3rd place (5-under-par 137). ‘Korean Open Champion’ Kim Min-kyu (21) and ‘KPGA Championship Champion’ Shin Sang-hoon (24) are tied for 4th place (4-under-par 138). Two-time champion Kim Bi-o (32) rose to a tie for 11th place (2-under-par 140).
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