Asian Games gold medallists Jang Yu-bin and Cho Woo-young will reach another important milestone in their blossoming careers this week when they play in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open – one of their country’s premier tournaments – for the first time as professionals.

Both players tied for eighth as amateurs here last year at Namseoul Country Club – in an event that has traditionally been a testing ground for the nation’s leading amateurs as it is organised by the Korean Golf Association – in part helping to earn their places in the four-man Korean team that competed in the Hangzhou Asian Games in October.

They combined with PGA Tour stars Kim Si-woo and Im Sung-jae to win the team gold medal, for the first time since 2010, and turned professional immediately afterwards.

The duo have not disappointed in the play for pay game, with this week being another important part of their progression.

Jang Yu-bin.

Said Jang: “At the beginning of this year, we selected three competitions that we really wanted to win, and one of them was the GS Caltex, because it is a place with special memories of being an amateur and a national team player.”

In the Hong Kong Open, soon after the Asian Games and in his first event overseas as a professional, he shot a stunning closing round seven-under-par 63 to finish solo fifth.

And in the early season events on the Korean Tour he has also been in the running: finishing fourth, joint sixth and tied 24^th.

The transition to the paid ranks has not been a difficult one, which he feels is the result of the experience and pressure involved in the build up to the Asian Games.

“We played in a lot of professional events, as part of the amateur team, getting ready for the Asian Games. So I think I am ready for this next stage of my career, and I am going to enjoy life as a professional,” said Jang, who also won on the Korean Tour as amateur early last season.

“Since winning the Asian Games I think I have many fans. There have been many requests for autographs and photos at tournaments. I am very grateful and surprised. “

Cho Woo-young.

Cho has finished in top-15 in the opening three Korean Tour event so far this season and is revelling the opportunity to compete this week.

“I have been improving since the start of the season,” said Cho, also a winner as an amateur on the Korean Tour last year.

“I have practiced and trained at Namseoul so much as amateur, so I think it’s a tournament that I want more than any other tournament.

“I turned around with a gold medal on my neck in October last year, and I’m already in my seventh month as a professional. I’m enjoying life on tour so much, with so much passionate support.”

Like Jubin, Cho says the experience of being on the same team as Kim Si-woo and Im Sung-jae, who have a combined six victories on the PGA Tour, is something that he will never forget.

He said: “The Asian Games awards ceremony was amazing, but I think what I remember the most is just chatting with Sung-jae and Si-woo and Yubin in the same room, as we shared accommodation. My older brothers told me a lot about the PGA Tour. I received a lot of advice. It is a happy and precious memory.”

The GS Caltex Maekyung Open starts Thursday and is the sixth event of the season on the Asian Tour. Total prizemoney is KRW1,300,000,000 (approximately US$939,000).