'Monster' Kim Kyung-tae Returns... Back to Korean Tour After 16 Years

Permanent Seed Holder Qualification "A Special Sentiment"

'Monster' Kim Kyung-tae returns to the Korean Tour this season after 16 years.

Kim Kyung-tae, who won the opening event of the 2007 KPGA Korean Tour, the Tomato Savings Bank Open
[Photo by KPGA]

The Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) announced on the 6th, "Kim Kyung-tae is returning to the Korean Tour as a permanent cardholder." KPGA changed the criteria for permanent cardholders this year from "players with 25 or more career wins" to "players with 20 or more career wins and winners of the four major championships." Currently, there are five permanent cardholders: Choi Sang-ho, Choi Kyung-ju, Han Jang-sang, Park Nam-shin, Yang Yong-eun, and Kim Kyung-tae. Kim Kyung-tae has recorded 6 wins domestically and 14 wins in Japan.

Kim Kyung-tae built a brilliant career since his amateur days. He wore the Taegeuk mark from 2003 to 2006 and won the Japan Amateur Championship consecutively in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, he also claimed titles at the Pocari Energien Open and the Samsung Benest Open. In December of the same year, he won gold medals in both the individual and team events at the Doha Asian Games.

After turning professional, Kim Kyung-tae debuted on the tour in 2007 and won the season's first tournament, the Tomato Savings Bank Open. He made history as the first player in KPGA history to win in his debut tournament.

Returning to the Korean Tour after 16 years since 2007, Kim Kyung-tae said, "I received many congratulations from my family, acquaintances, and senior and junior players. I feel proud and fulfilled," adding, "It seems to motivate me for tour life and has given me a new sense of purpose."

He continued, "This year marks my 17th year on tour. In the early days of my tour career, senior players like Park Nam-shin, Kang Wook-soon, and Shin Yong-jin, who are now active on the senior tour, dominated the tour," he laughed, then said, "It feels very special. I am happy to have accomplished something great that will leave my name forever."