Choi Seungbin, Born in 2001, Celebrates Second Victory After 2 Years and 4 Months

The Charity Classic Final Round: 5-Under Comeback Victory
First Win Since the KPGA Championship in June 2023
Kim Minkyu and Park Eunsin Tie for Second, Ok Taehun Ties for Fourth

Choi Seungbin, born in 2001, returned to the top after 2 years and 4 months.

On October 19, at Seowon Valley Country Club (par 72, 7,065 yards) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Choi played in the fourth round of the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour The Charity Classic, which had a total prize fund of 1 billion won. He carded five birdies without a single bogey, finishing with a 5-under-par 67. With a final total of 17-under-par 271, he secured victory by a single stroke. This marks his second career win, following his victory at the KPGA Championship in June 2023. The winner’s prize is 200 million won.

Choi Seungbin is cheering immediately after winning the The Charity Classic. Photo by KPGA

Choi Seungbin started the day tied for third, two shots behind the leader, and managed a come-from-behind win. Until the final holes, he was tied for the lead with Kim Minkyu and Park Eunsin. Park Eunsin dropped a shot with a bogey on the 17th hole (par 3), and on the final 18th hole (par 4), Kim Minkyu also lost a stroke, allowing Choi to lift the trophy without the need for a playoff.

In a post-round interview, Choi said, "After my first win, I wanted to get back to the top, but things didn’t go as planned, which made me anxious at times. I passed the first stage of the PGA Korn Ferry (second-tier) Tour Qualifying, and I’m happy that this good result followed. I’ll do my best to maintain this momentum and eventually reach the PGA Tour."

Kim Minkyu and Park Eunsin shared second place with a score of 16-under-par 272. Ok Taehun, who was aiming for his fourth win of the season, finished tied for fourth at 15-under-par 273, along with Moon Kyungjun and Jung Taeyoung. Lee Sanghee and Song Minhyuk, who were tied for the lead the previous day, failed to improve their scores. Lee Sanghee traded three birdies for three bogeys and dropped to a tie for seventh at 14-under-par 274. Song Minhyuk lost three shots and fell to a tie for 21st at 11-under-par 277. Lee Seungtaek, who will advance to the PGA Tour next year, finished tied for 52nd at 3-under-par 285.