‘Match King’ Lee Hyung-jun "4-Year Cycle Victory GO~"

Lee Hyung-jun Challenges 3 Wins at Descente Korea Match Play
Park Eun-shin Aims for 2 Consecutive Titles, Kim Dong-min Targets Back-to-Back Wins
Seo Yo-seop, Kim Bi-o, Choi Jin-ho 'Strong Contenders for Victory'

‘Match King’ Lee Hyeong-jun is set for a victorious start.

Lee Hyeong-jun will compete in the 13th Descente Korea Match Play, part of the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour, held over four days from June 1 at Kingsdale Golf Club in Chungju, Chungbuk (par 72, 7,323 yards). This is the only match play event on the Korean Tour, featuring 64 players competing for a total prize fund of 800 million KRW, with the winner receiving 160 million KRW. The format divides players into 16 groups, similar to the FIFA World Cup, with group winners advancing to the round of 16. From the round of 16 onward, matches are played one-on-one in a knockout format.

'Match King' Lee Hyung-jun challenges for the championship at the Descente Korea Match Play.

Lee Hyeong-jun is a ‘match play specialist.’ He won this tournament in 2015 and 2019, making him the only two-time champion. Following a four-year cycle, this year is his turn again. After his 2019 victory, he missed the 2020 and 2021 events due to military service and last year due to poor condition. He is grouped with Lee Tae-hee, Bae Yun-ho, and Park Young-gyu. Lee said, "I personally like match play and am eager to win," adding, "I will play aggressively in every match," showing his determination as he returns to the tournament after four years.

Defending champion Park Eun-shin is aiming to retain his title. He defeated Kim Min-jun in the final last year after a second sudden-death playoff. Park holds the record for the largest margin of victory in a group stage match, beating Ahn Baek-jun by 9 holes in the 2019 group stage opener. No player has ever won this tournament consecutively. Park is grouped with Park Sung-guk, Ha Chung-hoon, and Kevin Jeon. He expressed, "This tournament gave me my first win, so I am eager to defend my title," and added, "I have brought both my condition and performance to their peak for this event."

Kim Dong-min, who won the KB Financial Live Championship last week, is dreaming of back-to-back titles. He is grouped with Jang Hee-min, Choi Min-cheol, and Lee Geun-ho. Other strong contenders include Seo Yo-seop, Kim Bi-o, Ham Jung-woo, Choi Jin-ho, Park Sang-hyun, Kang Kyung-nam, Lee Tae-hee, Baek Seok-hyun, and Lee Jae-kyung. GS Caltex Maekyung Open champion Jung Chan-min and amateur winner of the Golfzon Open Jo Woo-young will not participate.