‘Leader’ Park Eun-shin: "Having many galleries gives me strength"

iMBank Open Round 1 6-Under Par Surge
Season's First Victory, Third Career Win 'Opportunity'
"I Will Show the Desired Shots and Performance"

Veteran Park Eun-shin is on a thrilling march.

On the 21st, at the iMBank Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), part of the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour held at Gyeongbuk Chilgok Pamihills Country Club (par 71, 7,194 yards), he shot a 6-under-par 65 in the first round to take the lead. Kim Min-gyu, Hong Soon-sang, and Lee Soo-min are tied for second place (5-under-par 66), while as many as six players including Heo In-hoe and Kim Dong-min are tied for fifth place (4-under-par 67). This tournament was held as the DGB Financial Group Open until last year.

Park Eun-shin is teeing off at the 7th hole of the 1st round of iMBank.
[Photo by KPGA]

Park Eun-shin boasted a perfect play with six birdies and no bogeys. Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), he reduced two strokes in the front nine with birdies on the 14th and 18th holes. In the back nine, he made three consecutive birdies from the 2nd to 4th holes and added another birdie at the 6th hole (par 4). Leading by one stroke, this is his third career win opportunity after winning the Golfzon-Doray Open last November, marking a 10-month gap.

Park Eun-shin smiled brightly, saying, "It was a smooth game. I'm satisfied to have played without any bogeys. I'm happy to finish the first round as the sole leader." He also expressed gratitude to the gallery in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. He said, "Whenever I play at Pamihills, many gallery and fans come. I always gain strength whenever I play in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas," adding, "I thank the fans who visit the tournament site to cheer. I will do my best to repay them."

Park Eun-shin has participated in 15 tournaments this year without a win but has entered the 'Top 10' six times. His best season result was third place at the Descente Korea Match Play in June. Park said firmly, "Regardless of results, my goal is to fully execute my play. If I show the shots and performance I want, I am satisfied with that. If my performance is good, the results will follow."