‘Gold Medal Collaboration’ Jang Yubin and Jo Wooyoung "This Time, Good Competitors"

Baeksong Holdings and Asiad CC Lead on First Day of Busan Open
Both Shoot 6 Under Par in a Relentless Charge
"I Want to Play Together in the Champion Group"

Jang Yu-bin and Cho Woo-young made a mark at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games.

Jang Yubin is teeing off at the 12th hole of the first round of the Baeksong Holdings·Asiad CC Busan Open.
[Photo by KPGA]

Together with PGA Tour members Im Sung-jae and Kim Si-woo, they won the gold medal in the Korean men's golf team event. The two players turned professional immediately after winning the gold medal at the Asian Games in October last year. Before turning pro, Cho Woo-young won the Golfzon Open on the KPGA Tour in April last year, and Jang Yu-bin won the Gunsan CC Open in August last year.

This time, Jang Yu-bin and Cho Woo-young fiercely competed as rivals. On the 1st round of the Baeksong Holdings-Asiad CC Busan Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW) held on the 10th at the Asiad Country Club Pine-Lake Course in Gijang-gun, Busan (par 71, 7,104 yards), both scored 6-under-par 65. Jang Yu-bin made six birdies without any bogeys. Cho Woo-young recorded seven birdies and one bogey.

Jang Yu-bin, who is first in the points standings, joked, "Woo-young hyung’s good results in last week’s tournament are thanks to me," adding, "Since he started using the putter I recommended, Woo-young hyung’s performance has improved." He reflected, "Since I have been a pro for less than two years, I made many mistakes due to nervousness before winning, but these experiences will be a great help in my future career." Jang Yu-bin expressed his anticipation, saying, "Since Woo-young hyung is performing well from the first day of this tournament, I want to face him in the final round champion group."

Jo Woo-young is teeing off at the 2nd hole of the first round of the Baeksong Holdings·Asiad CC Busan Open. Photo by KPGA

After finishing as runner-up at the Descente Korea Match Play in June, Cho Woo-young experienced a slump but improved his shot form by finishing tied for 4th at last week’s Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational. Cho Woo-young said, "Today, my iron shots and putting were good, so as long as I kept the fairway, birdie opportunities came." He added, "As the season progresses, I realized I need to play more rational golf rather than emotional golf. I won’t dwell on the holes where I didn’t perform well but will focus on the new holes." He also said, "I envy Yu-bin’s bold play and want to have a good competition in this tournament as well."