DB Insurance Promy Open Kicks Off on the 17th
Jang Yoobin's Departure to LIV Opens Door for New Contenders
Park Sanghyun, Ko Guntaek, Kim Hongtaek, and Kim Daehyun Among Star Players Competing
Jo Wooyoung aims to ascend to a new throne.
From the 17th for four days, the DB Insurance Promy Open (total prize money of 1 billion KRW), part of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour, will be held at the Old Course of La Vie Est Belle Golf & Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 7,181 yards). He will challenge for the championship. This is the opening event of the KPGA Tour this year. It is an important tournament that can predict the year's landscape. The total prize money has been increased by 200 million KRW this year, raising the winner's prize to 200 million KRW.
Last year, the KPGA Tour was dominated by Jang Yoobin. After sweeping the money title and the grand prize, he left for LIV Golf. The biggest focus of the KPGA Tour is the new number one to fill Jang Yoobin's vacancy. The most likely candidate is Jo Wooyoung, who won the team gold medal with Jang Yoobin at the Hangzhou Asian Games. He is a two-time KPGA Tour champion. Although he was overshadowed by Jang Yoobin's momentum last year, from October onwards in six tournaments, he recorded one win, two runner-up finishes, and entered the top 5 five times. He ranked 4th in the money rankings.
Jo Wooyoung said, "I was so disappointed when last season ended because my performance was really good at the end. Since I participated in Asian Tour events from the beginning of this season, there is no problem with my game sense." He added, "I am steadily fine-tuning my shots and short game to prepare for the opening event. Since the focus of my training camp was play within 100 meters, my confidence in this area has increased." He continued, "This season, I want to win three times and rank first in the Genesis Points. I want to win the Genesis Award and challenge the PGA Tour."
Rising KPGA Tour stars like Kim Hongtaek, consistent performers Lee Junghwan and Ham Jungwoo, and last year's Rookie of the Year Song Minhyeok will also participate. Ko Guntaek, who won his first career victory at this tournament in 2023 and swept three wins that season, dreams of returning to the top after two years. Veteran Park Sanghyun aims for the title at this tournament for the first time in three years since 2022. Moon Doyeop, Jang Heemin, and Kim Daehyun will also compete. Defending champion Yoon Sangpil enlisted after last season and will not participate in this tournament.
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