‘Approach Ipps’ Lee Jaekyung "Getting Better and Better"

KB Financial Live Championship 1R 4-Under Par Leading Group
New Lifestyle Patterns and Baseball Grip 'Effect'

Lee Jae-kyung (photo) is a promising talent who will lead Korean men's golf.

He served as a national representative for two years starting in 2015. He debuted on the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour in 2019 and won the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open, earning the Rookie of the Year award. In 2020, he ranked first in average score (69.40) and 'Top 10' finishes (6 times). In 2021, he secured his second career win at the Genesis Championship.

At the peak of his career, Lee Jae-kyung suffered from severe approach shot yips two years ago. He felt uneasy if he couldn't get the ball on the green, and sometimes even used a putter from the rough around the green. Last year, he participated in 15 tournaments but only made the cut 7 times. His prize money ranking was only 75th (81.2 million KRW), marking his worst performance since joining the Korean Tour.

Lee Jae-kyung struggled desperately to overcome the approach shot yips. A year ago, he sought out swing coach Park Chang-jun to attempt changes. After suffering the humiliation of missing the cut in three consecutive tournaments this year, he recently demonstrated resilience by entering the 'Top 10' in three consecutive tournaments. On the 25th, at the KB Financial Live Championship (total prize money 700 million KRW) held at Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 7,260 yards), Lee posted a 4-under-par in the first round, positioning himself among the leaders.

Lee Jae-kyung collected five birdies and one bogey. Although he did not reduce strokes in the front nine, he made 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 1 and 3. After a bogey on the 5th hole (par 5), he immediately recovered with a birdie on the 6th hole (par 4), then showed fierce finishing power with consecutive birdies on the 8th and 9th holes. Lee said, "Blackstone is a course that requires patience," adding, "My short game has improved, so I think I managed to get through crisis situations smoothly."

Lee shared the story behind his improved short game. "I changed my lifestyle pattern. Now, I get up at 6 a.m. no matter what," he said. "When I train, I always start with approach shots. Practicing early and not going to bed too late seems to have improved both my lifestyle and golf rhythm."

Lee also changed his attitude toward approach shot mistakes. He said, "Admitting that my approach shots were weak made me feel more at ease," adding, "When I do approach shots, I hold the club with a baseball grip." Lee said, "I want to give myself 80 to 90 points during practice, and about 70 points during tournaments," expressing hope that "If I get closer to 100 points, more chances to win will come."