Slimmer Yoo Songgyu Takes the Lead: "I've Lost 37kg"

4-under in Round 2 of the 67th Kolon Korea Open
Weight reduced from 137kg to around 100kg
"Aiming for a 5-year tour exemption and a ticket to The Open"

Yoo Songgyu, who has become noticeably slimmer, made a splash at the national title event.

On May 23 at the La Vie Est Belle Country Club Dunes Course (par 71) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, during the second round of the 67th Kolon Korea Open (total prize money of 1.4 billion won), he shot a 4-under-par 67 to take the lead with a total of 7-under-par 135. Yoo Songgyu was once the heaviest player on the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour. Standing 175 cm tall, his weight reached 137 kg in 2021. Through consistent weight loss efforts, he has now reduced his weight to around 100 kg.

Yoo Songgyu is making an iron shot in the second round of the Kolon Korea Open. Photo by Kolon Korea Open Organizing Committee

Yoo Songgyu said, "I injured my ankle and developed severe inflammation, so I decided I needed to lose weight. I lost weight by not eating anything after 6 p.m." As he succeeded in losing weight, his performance improved as well. "Walking became easier and I feel less fatigued. With less physical exhaustion, I am able to maintain my concentration until the end of the round," he said. "My backswing feels more comfortable, and my driving distance has not decreased."

This week, Yoo Songgyu has entered the title race with especially steady play. He explained, "This course suits me." He added, "I've played here about three times, including the Monday qualifier for the Korea Open held at La Vie Est Belle Country Club Dunes Course, and every time I felt comfortable and posted good scores." Now in contention for the title, Yoo Songgyu said, "More than the 500 million won winner's prize, I want the five-year KPGA Tour exemption and the ticket to The Open," adding, "For the remaining third and fourth rounds, I will play just as comfortably as I did in the first and second rounds."