Securing 1st Full Seed at QT by Former National Team Player
Go Inseong, Hwang Doyeon, Choi Hoyoung Share 2nd Place Excitement
Lee Donghwan, Go Seokwan, Lee Jihoon Also Returning to Field Next Year
Promising national team player Song Min-hyeok passed the qualifying tournament as the top scorer.
On the 17th, Song Min-hyeok scored 4 under par in the final 3rd round of the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) held at the Jeonbuk Gunsan Country Club Tournament Course (par 72, 7,442 yards), securing 1st place (9 under par, 207 strokes). Although the tournament was originally scheduled to be played over 4 rounds and 72 holes, the third day’s play was cut short due to heavy rain, and the tournament committee decided to determine the rankings based on 54 holes.
Song Min-hyeok is taking a commemorative photo after passing the Korean Tour Qualifying Tournament as the top qualifier. [Photo by KPGA]
Song Min-hyeok has been a promising player representing the national team from 2021 until this year. His average drive shot distance is 290 yards, and his strength lies in putting. He won 15 times during his amateur career. He also claimed the top spot at the Bitgoeul Joongheung Cup Amateur Championship in May. He turned professional in July and participated as an invited player in four Korean Tour events. Last month, he earned recognition by finishing tied for 19th place at the Genesis Championship. He also competed in the KPGA Srixon (2nd division) Tour events, preparing for his full professional debut.
Song Min-hyeok expressed his joy, saying, "I am happy to have ranked first in the QT. I was not nervous after the tournament started, so I was able to execute the planned play." He added, "Although I played in only four Korean Tour events, I learned a lot. I will improve my course management to grow into a competitive player." He also revealed his ambition, stating, "My goal for next year is to win the Rookie of the Year award, which only comes once in a lifetime."
Ko In-sung, Hwang Do-yeon, and Choi Ho-young tied for 2nd place (7 under par, 209 strokes), while Koo Jae-young finished 5th (6 under par, 210 strokes). Lee Dong-hwan, who was the first Asian player to top the PGA Tour Q-School in 2012, secured his tour card by finishing tied for 25th place (even par, 216 strokes). Ko Seok-wan and Yoo Song-gyu, co-30th place finishers (1 over par, 217 strokes), and Lee Ji-hoon, tied for 32nd place (2 over par, 218 strokes), will return to the field next year. Ko Seok-wan was the winner of the 2018 NS Home Shopping Gunsan CC Jeonbuk Open.
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