[Newstart New Challenge] Bulgom Lee Seung-taek "This is a New Challenge"

Tied for 14th at the PGA Tour Q School Final
Secures Entry to 12 Korn Ferry Tour Events This Year
Smooth Landing with Tied 39th at Second-Tier Tour Opener
"I Aim to Achieve Good Results Early in the Season"

‘Bulgom’ Lee Seung-taek's new challenge.

'Bulgom' Lee Seung-taek expressed his determination to succeed on the American stage with aggressive golf. Photo by KPGA

At thirty years old this year, he has stepped onto the American stage at no small age. It is not the PGA Tour, but the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA's second-tier tour, where he has begun his second golf career. Lee Seung-taek finished tied for 39th at the Korn Ferry Tour season opener, the Bahamas Golf Classic (total prize money $1 million), held at The Ocean Club Golf Course (par 70, 7,118 yards) on Paradise Island, Bahamas, which ended on the 15th. He showed consistency over four days with rounds of 67-68-71-67. He said firmly, "My goal is to achieve good results early in the season," adding, "I will do my best on this new stage."

Lee Seung-taek is smiling brightly with his parents at the 2024 Genesis Awards Ceremony. Photo by KPGA

Lee Seung-taek is a player whose main weapon is his powerful long drives. He was a national team reserve in 2010, a national team member in 2012, and joined the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour the following year. He joined the regular tour in 2015 and was the protagonist of a human victory story when he won his first career title at the Lexus Masters last September. It was a perfect victory, beating the second-place group by five strokes. He lifted the winner's trophy in his 112th tournament, nine years after his professional debut. Last year, he ranked 7th in both prize money and scoring average, and 9th in Genesis Points.

Lee Seung-taek is cheering immediately after securing his first career victory at the 2024 Lexus Masters. Photo by KPGA

His strength lies in his solid lower body, enabling him to drive the ball over 300 yards. When he swings freely, he can send it soaring 340 yards. He is nicknamed ‘Bulgom’ (meaning ‘Grizzly Bear’) because he often wears a red shirt in the final rounds of tournaments. However, Lee Seung-taek has made many mistakes at critical moments while competing for wins, earning him the nickname ‘bird chest’ (meaning timid). He expressed gratitude, saying, "I sought advice and received a lot of encouragement from senior players around me," adding, "After senior Park Sang-hyun encouraged me, I gained confidence."

Lee Seung-taek is a long hitter who can drive the ball over 340 yards. Photo by KPGA

Lee Seung-taek made a bold move last year. After finishing runner-up at the KPGA Founders Cup in April last year, he changed his driver shot to a fade. He focused more on accuracy than distance. As his fairway hit rate increased, his confidence in his shots grew. He said firmly, "Changing to a fade shot during the season was effective," adding, "I developed the mindset that I can win any tournament."

Lee Seung-taek is a warm-hearted golfer. Last month, he donated 5 million won to the Disabled Parents Association in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. He shyly said, "Since it was not a large amount, I hesitated a lot about publicizing this fact." He continued, "I believe it is important to donate consistently, even if the amount is small," and added, "I will continue to engage in ongoing donation activities."

Lee Seung-taek is dedicating himself to short game training to achieve good results in the United States. Photo by KPGA

After having his best year last year, Lee Seung-taek did not settle for the status quo. He challenged himself on a bigger stage. On the 15th of last month, he finished tied for 14th at the PGA Tour Qualifying (Q) School held at the SedgeGrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Although he did not secure a PGA Tour card, he earned the right to participate in 12 Korn Ferry Tour events this year. This laid the foundation for his advancement to the PGA Tour. Reflecting on that time, he said, "It still feels like a dream. I earned the Korn Ferry Tour entry right at my first attempt at the PGA Tour Q School." He revealed, "Since my junior days, my goal has been to play golf in the United States," and "My dream is to win on the PGA Tour."

Lee Seung-taek is smiling brightly while holding the trophy after winning the 2024 Lexus Masters in his 112th tournament. Photo by KPGA

Lee Seung-taek departed for the United States on the 5th. This was to adapt not only to training but also to the overseas climate and food. After training camp in Florida, he moved to the Bahamas for the opening two events. He also expressed satisfaction with the Korn Ferry Tour. "I liked that there is a TPC course where I can practice anytime," he said. He will compete in the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at the Abaco Club in Great Abaco, Bahamas, starting on the 19th, followed by tournaments in Panama, Colombia, and Argentina.

Lee Seung-taek emphasized, "Compared to players from other countries, my driver distance is not inferior," adding, "To achieve good results, I think I need to focus on practicing my short game." He smiled and said, "The tournament venues are very windy. Personally, I like courses with wind," and "I am confident that I can achieve good results overseas. I ask for your support."