Sang Hyunjun and Sung Haein Win the 11th Asia Economy Honam Cup Junior Golf Championship

Both Boys and Girls Finish at 8 Under Par to Claim Top Honors
Runner-up Park Geonung at 7 Under, Lee Yunseo at 5 Under

Winners of the 11th Asia Economy Honam Cup Junior Golf Championship are cheering together after the awards ceremony on the 13th. Photo by Song Bohyun

Sang Hyunjun (boys' division) and Sung Haein (girls' division) lifted the championship trophies at the 11th Asia Economy Honam Cup Junior Golf Championship, which opened on June 12 and was held over two days at Hwasun CC in Jeonnam.

Sang Hyunjun, a sophomore at Kyungshin High School, shot a 2-under-par 69 in the final round held at Hwasun CC (par 71, 6,376 meters) on June 13. Combined with his first-round score of 6-under-par 65, he finished at the top with a total of 8-under-par 134.

In the boys' division, Park Geonung (senior at Sogang High School) ranked second with a combined score of 7-under-par 135 over the two rounds. Kim Yunhu (junior at Hampyeong Golf High School) finished third with a total of 5-under-par 137, while Yoo Minhyeok (senior at Sogang High School) was fourth with 4-under-par 138, and Song Wooyeol (junior at Mangun Middle School) rounded out the top five with 3-under-par 139.

In the girls' division, Sung Haein (freshman at Bomun High School) recorded a 1-under-par 70 in the final round at the same course (par 71, 5,848 meters). Combined with her first-round score of 7-under-par 64, she claimed victory with a total of 8-under-par 134.

Lee Yunseo (senior at Seomun Girls' High School) took second place with a two-round total of 5-under-par 137. For third through fifth place, Jung Chaeun (junior at Jeoksang Middle School), Kim Gyoeun (senior at Gwangju Soongil High School), and Lee Dagyeong (junior at Hamyeol Girls' Middle School) all finished with 4-under-par 138, and their rankings were determined by countback.

This tournament was played over two rounds. Sang Hyunjun, making his second appearance after last year, celebrated his first career victory. It was also the first win at this event for Sung Haein.

National team member Yoo Minhyeok (junior at Sogang High School), who was considered a favorite to win, finished fourth with a total of 4-under-par 138 over the two rounds. Yoo Ahyeon (senior at Sogang High School), who drew attention as she was aiming for her third consecutive title, had to settle for ninth place with an even-par total of 142.

Sang Hyunjun (left) and Sung Haein, who won the 11th Asia Economy Honam Cup Junior Golf Championship held over two days from the 12th to 13th at Hwasun CC in Jeonnam. Photo by Min Chanki

After his victory, Sang Hyunjun said, "Since this is my first win, it doesn't really feel real yet. I'm so happy that I can't even put it into words," adding, "My goal is to join domestic professional tournaments, achieve 10 wins, and then advance to the US LIV tour."

Sung Haein commented, "Compared to the first round, I didn't feel good at the beginning of today's match, so I was worried, but I think I managed to finish the tournament without any major mistakes. My current dream is to compete in the KLPGA and then advance to the US LPGA."

Meanwhile, the Asia Economy Honam Cup Junior Golf Championship is hosted by the Asia Economy Honam News Bureau (CEO Oh Geumtaek) and organized by the Gwangju Metropolitan City Golf Association (GGA, President Han Changhee). The tournament was played as a 36-hole stroke play event. A total of 120 students, with 15 teams each from boys' and girls' middle and high schools nationwide, participated. Many national team and reserve players also competed, drawing significant attention.

Over its 11 editions, the Asia Economy Honam Cup Junior Golf Championship has seen more than 1,100 participants and has produced notable players such as Jang Yubin, Yoo Haeran, Lee Somi, and Ko Jiwoo, earning a nationwide reputation as a cradle of junior golf talent in Korea.