Taehun Lee and Anthony Kim Qualify for LIV Golf

Excitement as Korean Diaspora Golfers Take 1st and 3rd at LIV Golf Promotion
Tour Cards Awarded to Top Three Finishers
Wang Jeonghun Ties for Fourth, Earns Spot in International Series

Korean diaspora golfers have simultaneously secured their spots in the LIV Golf league.

On January 11 (local time), Taehun Lee, a Korean-Canadian golfer, surged ahead with a 5-under-par 65 in the final round of the LIV Golf Promotion event (total prize money: 1.5 million dollars) held at Black Diamond Ranch (par 70) in Lecanto, Florida, USA. He won the tournament by five strokes with a total of 11-under-par 129. By finishing among the top three, Lee officially earned his place in the LIV Golf league for this year. This tournament served as a promotion event, where players competed for the right to participate in LIV Golf.

Taehun Lee is smiling brightly while holding the trophy right after winning the LIV Golf promotion. Lecanto, USA ? Reuters Yonhap News Agency

Lee started the final round with a two-shot lead and recorded six birdies and one bogey. He distanced himself from his competitors by carding his first birdie on the 4th hole (par 4), back-to-back birdies on the 6th and 7th holes, and another birdie on the 9th hole (par 5), reducing his score by four strokes just on the front nine. He then made five consecutive pars before virtually sealing his victory with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. His only bogey came on the 17th hole (par 3).

Lee has four career wins on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour. By winning this event, he also took home the winner's prize of 200,000 dollars (approximately 290 million Korean won). In a post-victory interview, he said, "I played under a completely different kind of pressure compared to a regular tournament. Focusing on minimizing mistakes led to a great result," he said with a bright smile. He added, "I'm really looking forward to competing with world-class players like Bryson DeChambeau from the United States and Jon Rahm from Spain, and I think I will be able to learn a lot from them."

Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden finished second (6-under-par 134), securing his place in the LIV Golf league. The 'maverick' Anthony Kim of the United States also finished third (5-under-par 135), marking his return to the LIV Golf stage. Anthony Kim, who had disappeared from the golf scene for 12 years, made his comeback through the 2024 LIV Golf season. Although he played for two seasons through last year, he failed to achieve notable results and was relegated, but now he has returned.

Wang Jeonghun of Korea played well with a 2-under-par 68 on this day but had to settle for a tie for fourth place (3-under-par 137). By finishing among the top 13, Wang earned a spot in the Asian Tour International Series. Other Korean golfers who competed, including Lee Soomin, Hwang Doyeon, Kim Hongtaek, and Park Sungguk, failed to qualify for the LIV Golf league.