'200th Appearance' Milestone... Who Is the Hero of the KPGA Korean Tour?

Choi Jin-ho, Park Sung-guk, and 6 Others Likely to Achieve Major Records This Season

In Korean Professional Golf (KPGA), participating in a total of 200 tournaments symbolizes consistency. This season, eight KPGA Korean Tour players are on the verge of achieving this remarkable milestone.

Choi Jin-ho (left) and Park Sung-guk, with only one tournament remaining to reach a total of 200 appearances on the KPGA Korean Tour [Photo by KPGA]

According to KPGA on the 1st, the players most likely to reach this record are Choi Jin-ho (39) and Park Sung-guk (35, KM Pharmaceutical). Choi Jin-ho debuted on the tour in 2005, and Park Sung-guk in 2007, with both having participated in a total of 199 tournaments up to the final event of last season. They are expected to reach their 200th tournament appearance at this season's opening event.

Choi Jin-ho currently holds 8 career wins on the KPGA Korean Tour and has earned 2,452,760,000 KRW in prize money. Out of 199 tournaments, he made the cut in 142 and finished in the top 10 in 49 events.

He said, "In the early days of my tour debut, I only wanted to participate in tournaments, and now, in my 19th year on the KPGA Korean Tour, I am about to reach 200 tournament appearances. Looking back, I have managed my tour life without major injuries, and my golf career’s joys and sorrows are all contained within the tournaments I have played." He added, "I want to participate in even more tournaments and win more titles. I will continue to perform consistently as a player who always gives his best."

Park Sung-guk won his first tour title at the 2018 Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational and has earned 1,418,920,000 KRW in prize money so far. He has made the cut in 135 out of 199 tournaments and finished in the top 10 in 25 events.

He said, "It feels very special to be approaching 200 tournament appearances. In recent years, I have felt that my shot distance and stamina are lacking compared to younger players, so I have focused on improving these areas in my season preparation." He emphasized, "My goal this year is to win my second KPGA Korean Tour title."

Along with these two players, six others have records of around 180 to 190 tournament appearances. With about 20 tournaments scheduled this season, it is highly likely they will surpass 200 appearances. Kim Seung-hyuk (37, Geumgang Housing) has participated in 193 tournaments, needing 7 more to reach the milestone. Following him are Kim Sung-yong (47) with 189 tournaments, Park Sang-hyun (40, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) with 186, Moon Kyung-jun (41) with 184, Kim Bong-seop (40) with 181, and Kim Tae-hoon (38, Bizplay) with 180 tournament appearances.

Among this year’s KPGA Korean Tour cardholders, eight players have already achieved over 200 tournament appearances. Hwang In-chun (49) leads with 274 tournaments. Next are Hong Soon-sang (42) with 243, Kang Kyung-nam (40, Daesun Brewery) with 237, Joo Heung-chul (42) with 236, Lee Tae-hee (39, OK Savings Bank) with 228, Choi Ho-sung (50, Geumgang Housing) with 221, Lee Geun-ho (40) with 206, and Lee Dong-min (38, Dong-A Otsuka) with 201 tournament appearances.