Jang Yu-bin Scores 6 Under Par at Hana Bank Invitational FR
Second 2nd Place This Season Following May KPGA Classic
Ogi So Claims First Domestic Win, Prize Money 260 Million Won
Jang Yubin's fierce finishing power.
Jang Yubin is teeing off at the 2nd hole of the 4th round of the Hana Bank Invitational. [Photo by KPGA]
On the 16th, at the 6th Hana Bank Invitational (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW) held at Namchuncheon Country Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 71, 7,335 yards), Jang Yubin shot 6 under par in the 4th round to finish in 2nd place (13 under par, 271 strokes). Jang Yubin, who won the Gunsan CC Open last August as an amateur, recorded his second runner-up finish of the season following the KPGA Classic in May. This tournament was co-hosted by the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO). Sixty players from each country's tour priority seed competed for the championship.
Starting from a tie for 4th place, 4 strokes behind, Jang Yubin collected 7 birdies and 1 bogey. After reducing 3 strokes in the front nine with birdies on holes 4, 7, and 8, he gained momentum with consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11 and another birdie on hole 14 (par 4). Although he made a bogey on hole 15 (par 4), he birdied the final 18th hole (par 5), which was 1 stroke behind 2nd place, to tie for the lead with Ogiso Takashi (Japan). However, Ogiso, who played in the final group, responded with a birdie on the 18th hole as well, preventing Jang from claiming the winner's trophy.
In a post-match interview, Jang Yubin said, "I missed the cut in the last two tournaments, so I am happy to finish as runner-up in this event," but added, "Although I played without regrets today, I can't help but feel some disappointment." He continued, "The tournaments I really want to win this year are next week's Korean Open and the Gunsan CC Open in July, where I will be the defending champion. I will prepare well and strive to achieve good results."
Ogiso achieved his first JGTO victory in Korea. Before this tournament, his best result this year was a tie for 3rd place at The Crowns last month. Kazuki Higa and Koshiro Maeda (both from Japan), winners of the 2022 Shinhan Donghae Open, performed well, tying for 3rd place (11 under par, 273 strokes). For Korea, Lee Sanghee tied for 5th place (8 under par, 276 strokes), while Lee Donghwan, Ok Taehoon, Park Eunshin, and Choi Seungbin tied for 8th place (7 under par, 277 strokes).
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