Mundo-yeop Takes Solo Lead... KPGA DGB Financial Group Open 3R

Overcoming a 3-Stroke Deficit with a 7-Under Surge... Kim Hanbyeol, the Previous Day's Leader, Falls to 2nd Place by One Stroke

Mundo-yeop is making a second iron shot on the 18th hole of the 2nd round of the 2022 DGB Financial Group Open held on the 23rd at Gyeongbuk Chilgok Pamihills CC.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] Moon Doyeop (31) surged to the solo lead in the third round of the KPGA Korean Tour DGB Financial Group Open (total prize money 500 million KRW). It has been 1 year and 5 months since he won his second Korean Tour title at the DB Insurance Promy Open in April last year, and he is now aiming for another victory.

On the 24th, Moon Doyeop shot 7-under-par 64 with 8 birdies and 1 bogey in the third round held at Gyeongbuk Chilgok Pami Hills Country Club (par 71, 7,021 yards). After being in second place, 3 strokes behind the leader Kim Hanbyul (26) with a 12-under-par 130 the previous day, Moon successfully overtook with a total score of 19-under-par 194. Kim Hanbyul, who failed to maintain his 3-stroke lead, finished one stroke behind Moon with 18-under-par 195 going into the final round.

Moon Doyeop had shown little notable performance this season, with his best result being a tie for 10th at the SK Telecom event in June. However, in this tournament, he ranked 4th on the first day, 2nd on the second day, and claimed the top spot in the third round.

While Kim Hanbyul lost a stroke on the front nine, Moon Doyeop reduced his score by 2 strokes, creating a tie for the lead. The two players continued a tight battle on the back nine. After both made birdies on the 10th hole (par 4), Moon took the lead on the 11th hole (par 4), but Kim Hanbyul recorded a birdie on the 12th hole (par 3) to regain the joint lead.

Moon Doyeop then made consecutive birdies on the 14th (par 4) and 17th holes (par 4), extending his lead to 2 strokes. However, Kim Hanbyul caught up with a birdie on the 18th hole (par 5), finishing the round just one stroke behind Moon.

Bae Yongjun (22) rose to third place with 13-under-par 200, while Choi Jinho (38) and Kim Hongtaek (29) tied for fourth place with 10-under-par 203. Park Sanghyun (39) and Lee Daehan (32) started the final round tied for sixth place with a total score of 9-under-par 204.