'11 Under Par 60' Song Minhyeok: "Today, I Was in a State of Muajigyeong"

Dong-A Membership Group Open 1R Shot 2 Eagles
Last Year's QT Top Passer, Rookie Debuting This Year
4th in Rookie of the Year Points, Possible Comeback with Victory

Rookie Song Min-hyeok delivered the best performance.

Song Min-hyeok is teeing off at the 16th hole in the first round of the Dong-A Membership Group Open.
[Photo by KPGA]

On the 31st, at Jangsu Golf Resort Apple & Tree Course (Par 71, 7,165 yards) located in Jangsu-gun, Jeonbuk, Song Min-hyeok shot 11-under-par 60 in the first round of the newly established Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Tour event, the Dong-A Membership Group Open (total prize money 700 million KRW). He recorded two eagles and seven birdies without a single bogey. Song Min-hyeok is a ‘young gun’ who topped the Qualifying Tournament (QT) last year. He has entered the ‘Top 10’ twice this year. His personal best is a tie for 7th place at the Baeksong Holdings-Asiad CC Busan Open, which ended on the 13th. He is currently 4th in the Rookie of the Year points (707.94 points). A victory would propel him to first place.

Song Min-hyeok said with a bright smile, "It was truly a day when everything went well. I was in a state of ‘muajigyeong’ (a state of selflessness and immersion)." He added, "Both my shots and putts went exactly as I wanted. It’s been a very long time since I played like this." He made shot eagles on the 6th hole (par 4) and the 10th hole (par 5). "On the 6th hole, my tee shot pushed to the right. About 165 meters remained to the pin, and I took my second shot with a 6-iron. I aimed to the right of the pin, and the shot went straight into the hole. On the 10th hole, I hit a driver for the tee shot and a 3-wood for the second shot, but the ball landed in the bunker in front of the green. I played with the thought of placing the ball right in front of the pin, and this also went into the hole."

Song Min-hyeok also expressed some regrets about his first season since turning professional. "Honestly, I didn’t meet my expectations. Since August, I have found my footing and believe I have been producing consistent results since then," he said. He continued, "There are still three rounds left. I think this course requires reducing strokes as much as possible each day to win. My goal is to win." Regarding the Rookie of the Year award, he said, "It’s an award you can only receive once in your life. I definitely want to win it. I will aim to achieve good results in this tournament to increase my chances of receiving the award."