Baekjun Kim Jumps to Co-Lead... Opportunity for Second Win This Year

Janewattananond and Kim Baekjun Share Lead After GS Caltex Maekyung Open Round 3
Two Wins and a Tied 10th Finish for Kim Baekjun This Season
Lee Hyungjoon and Shin Yonggoo Tied for Third, Lee Junghwan Tied for Sixth

Baekjun Kim has secured an opportunity for his second win of the 2025 season.

On May 3, at Namseoul Country Club in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province (par 71, 7,054 yards), Baekjun Kim carded a 5-under-par 66 in the third round of the 44th GS Caltex Maekyung Open (total prize money: 1.3 billion KRW), co-hosted by the Korea Golf Association (KGA) and the Asian Tour, moving into a share of the lead at 8-under-par 205. Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand) also joined this leading group.

Baekjun Kim is teeing off at the 4th hole during the 3rd round of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open. Photo by KGA

Baekjun Kim recorded six birdies and one bogey. After making birdies at holes 5, 7, and 9, he added back-to-back birdies at holes 11 and 12 to take the top spot on the leaderboard. He offset a bogey at the 16th hole with a birdie at the final 18th hole (both par 4), finishing the round on a high note. Having debuted on the Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Tour last season, Baekjun Kim captured his first victory at last month's season-opening DB Insurance Promy Open. He finished tied for 10th at last week's Woori Financial Championship and currently leads the Genesis Points race this season with 1,266.5 points.

Baekjun Kim said, "Everything went well today, from my driver and irons to my putting. There are still 18 holes left, so I will put aside thoughts of winning and focus on finishing strong." He added, "At Namseoul Country Club, you should never attack recklessly. I plan to play calmly, just as I have been doing. Since leaving myself uphill putts is important here, I will pay special attention to my iron shots."

Jazz Janewattananond, who has seven wins on the Asian Tour including the 2019 Kolon Korea Open, shot 3-under-par to join the title race. Lee Hyungjoon and Shin Yonggoo (Canada) are tied for third at 7-under-par 206, looking for their chance. Scott Vincent (Zimbabwe) sits in fifth place at 6-under-par 207. Lee Junghwan and Sarit Suwannarut (Thailand) are tied for sixth at 5-under-par 208. Amateur An Sunghyun (Shinseong High School, born in 2009), last week's Woori Financial Championship winner Lee Taehun (Canada), Kim Bio, Kim Youngsoo, Lee Sanghee, and Hwang Doyeon are tied for eighth at 4-under-par 209.