The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open: Round 3 Highlights
Incheon, Korea, September 21: Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent continued to hold on to his lead after signing for a third round three-under-par 68 as Typhoon Tapah threatens to affect the final round of the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
The centre of the typhoon will be approximately 300km away from the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club on Sunday and in the event the final round cannot be completed, regardless of the number of holes completed, the tournament will be declared as a 54-hole tournament.
Depending on the weather situation on the final round, Vincent stands on the verge of lifting his maiden Asian Tour title, having come so close to winning on several occasions since he made his debut on the Tour.
The Zimbabwean’s three-day total of 11-under-par 202 was enough to give him a two-shot advantage over Korea’s Sung Kang, South Africa’s Jbe Kruger and Japan’s Shugo Imahira who returned with matching 204 total to share second place.
Vincent has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club and despite stumbling early with a bogey on the second hole, he demonstrated his resolve by bouncing back with a pair of birdies on the sixth and seventh holes.
He dropped another shot again on the par-four 10th but recovered quickly again with birdies on 11 and 13 before a closing birdie on 18 allowed him to pull ahead from the chasing pack with a two-shot cushion at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Ends.
Did you know?
- Scott Vincent, the only Zimbabwean member on Tour, has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
- He finished tied-second in 2016, tied-third in 2017 and second last year.
- Vincent claimed his first international win at the Landic Challenge 7 held on the Japan Challenge Tour in June.
- He notched four top-10s in Australia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia to sit in ninth place on the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not missed a single cut in eight starts so far this season.
- Vincent was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 after ending his season in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
- Jbe Kruger has won once on the Asian Tour in the 2012 Avantha Masters in India, a tournament that was co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
- Hailing from Northern Cape province in South Africa, he has also recorded four career wins on the Sunshine Tour. The latest title coming at the Sun Carnival City Challenge in 2017.
- The 33-year-old got his nickname Jbe from the initials in his full name, James Barry Kruger.
- Sunghoon Kang has previously won one title on the Asian Tour, the 2013 CJ Invitational Hosted by KJ Choi.
- The 32-year-old Korean also has victories in two other events. The Kolon Korean Open the week following his win at CJ Invitational, and most notably the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour.
- This year, Kang finished seventh in the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, his best finish in a Major to date.
- He also had his best career season on the PGA TOUR finishing 45th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Ends.
Scott Vincent (Zim) Third round 68 (-3) Total 202 (-11)
I had a shaky start. I hit a wayward one on the second hole. But you know, I was just really proud of the way that I held it together, and you know I made some good swings coming in to close out that nine and get myself under par. Which was something really huge for me. And then I held it well together on the back. I made some good putts and I hit it close enough to make putts, so it was just a good solid day. I had a great up and down on 17. That was a tricky little putt, not one you want right at the end. I’m planning on playing so I’ll be ready to go regardless of the typhoon. That birdie on the last that was huge. Many times this year I’ve missed a good makeable birdie putt on the last, it was big for me to make that. It was a fairly simple read, just outside the right edge and just give it enough speed. That was just one of those drives (on 18) that just came right out of the middle and had a great flight on it. We had some wind helping us behind and I assume it got a good kick as well. So yeah, it was just one of those ones that you happy to see get on the fairway, because if you hit that rough, it’s thick.
Jbe Kruger (Rsa) Third round 67 (-4) Total 136 (-6)
I didn’t know there was a typhoon coming in but well we’ll see what happens then. I think if it does rain, it’s going to be really difficult. If you want to score, the key is to hit it straight off the tee and if it rains it makes it so much harder to actually hit it straight. It’s going to be brutal I think if it does rain. It’s very familiar, a couple years ago when Gaganjeet won he also had rain in final round and I was playing with him. So, I can draw from past experience and that might just help
I probably say my putting helped me today. I probably hit the ball the worst I’ve hit all week. But my putting kept me in it. You know, I missed a lot of greens, but I scrambled and didn’t make one bogey. But you know, I missed so many green and still didn’t make a bogey, so the putting was really helpful.
Sung Kang (Kor) Third round 65 (-6) Total 204 (-9)
I was playing as though today’s like the last day of the tournament because I heard the typhoon is coming tomorrow so I tried to do all the best I could today. I played actually lot more solid than the last couple days, I hit the ball better and putted a little better too. That’s why I shot a lower round. It has been a good year for me and I’m definitely bring that confidence and positive vibes into this week. It has been nine months since I’ve been away from Korea and it’s nice to catch up with my family and friends and having good Korean food again.
Scott Vincent (Zim) Second round 67 (-4) Total 134 (-8)
It was just really solid round, I played great. Obviously, I started on the tougher nine in my eyes, the back nine, and got to three under that side so it was just like the best way I could have started.
Then things were a little shaky on the back nine (course front nine), but I held it together and shot one under that side so yeah, just a nice solid day. On the back nine there’s just not that many birdie chances, so you have to hit some really good shots but yeah, it’s a good course and it’s playing tough. I like the way it [the course] sets up. I don’t feel that uncomfortable too often out there. You know, I feel fairly free so for me it’s just the way it sets up. The way it maybe follows my game, it just it just feels right. I think having a bit of distance here definitely helps. You know, the rough is tough so the further up you can be, the less club in. And it makes a huge difference.
You know if you’re trying to get out of this with a seven or six-iron, good luck. You need you need a pitching wedge or nine iron.
Jbe Kruger (Rsa) Second round 67 (-4) Total 136 (-6)
It is unexpected to say the least. You know, like always say I haven’t said it for a long time because I haven’t been in contention. You know, the Lord Jesus knows what he’s doing. And that’s about all I can say. I’ve liked the golf course from the first day. You know, it’s designed by Jack Nicklaus which is the same as my own course. So it’s, it looks familiar to me. It’s the anticipation of things to come and fighting to be in contention is definitely in my blood. It’s the process of coming back into contention and I literally have to take it step by step.
Paul Peterson (Usa) Second round 68 (-3) Total 136 (-6)
I felt like I stayed patient out there all day. My iron game wasn’t quite as spot on as it was yesterday, but I still managed to take advantage of the opportunities that I had today. I’m very pleased to be able to bounce back with a birdie each time I bogeyed. That kind of helped me to keep the momentum. It was a little bit cooler today and but the course definitely played a lot longer in the morning than it did yesterday. So yeah, I felt like it played maybe a little bit more difficult with some of the pin locations. And then obviously having a couple more clubs into some of the par-fours, but I was still able to put together nice round. I feel like my game has been heading in a positive direction for a while now. It’s just putting together four good rounds and getting the results. I feel like my short games got a lot better last four or five months and just got to continue to drive the ball well and stay aggressive with iron shots.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha) Second round 68 (-3) Total 138 (-4) I’m very happy with my game today. I just had one bad hole which I hit into the water twice from the tee and that caused me four shots on the fourth hole. But overall, my driver was very good. Most of my shots landed on the fairway and I was able to attack the pins better today. I’ve to stick closely to my game plan and continue to keep the ball on the fairway and avoid the rough this weekend. I have been playing well since Sarawak, so I’m very confident with my game right now.
Incheon, Korea, September 20: Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent continued to show why he is one of the tournament favourites when he signed for another four-under-par 67 to take the second round lead at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open on Friday.
The Zimbabwean, who has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club was ready for another battle- one which he hopes he can emerge victorious this time around.
Vincent demonstrated his intent of winning when he raced towards the turn in 32 after marking his card with three birdies. He then birdied the par-five second before dropping his only shot of the day at the next hole.
Another birdie on the sixth hole before finishing his round with three straight pars for a two-day total of eight-under-par 134 would eventually give him a two-shot cushion over a quartet of players.
They include American Paul Peterson, Korea’s Hyungjoon Lee, Japan’s Shugo Imahira and South Africa’s Jbe Kruger, who are tied for second with their 136 total.
Peterson is also making his push towards the winner’s circle again after he returned with a 68 while Kruger believes he could likely end his seven-year drought on the Asian Tour with some divine help at at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert also displayed his return to form when he signed for a 68 to end into the weekend rounds in tied-10th place, four shots back of Vincent.
The Thai has only missed the cut twice out of 10 starts on the Asian Tour and was seemingly in control until a quadruple bogey and bogey on the fourth and fifth holes respectively marred an otherwise perfect card.
The weekend cut was set at one-over 143 with 65 players making it into the final two rounds.
Ends.
Did you know?
- Scott Vincent, the only Zimbabwean member on Tour, has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
- He finished tied-second in 2016, tied-third in 2017 and second last year.
- Vincent claimed his first international win at the Landic Challenge 7 held on the Japan Challenge Tour in June.
- He notched four top-10s in Australia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia to sit in ninth place on the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not missed a single cut in eight starts so far this season.
- Vincent was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 after ending his season in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
- Jbe Kruger has won once on the Asian Tour in the 2012 Avantha Masters in India, a tournament that was co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
- Hailing from Northern Cape province in South Africa, he has also recorded four career wins on the Sunshine Tour. The latest title coming at the Sun Carnival City Challenge in 2017.
- The 33-year-old got his nickname Jbe from the initials in his full name, James Barry Kruger.
- Paul Peterson secured his maiden Asian Tour title when won the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open in 2018 by two shots.
- He also won the D+D Real Czech Masters on the European Tour in 2016.
- This year the American has split his time between the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour and European Tour, with a tied-13th in the 100th New Zealand Open as his best result.
- The 31-year-old Peterson’s best year on the Asian Tour was in 2015 when he finished fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, posting six top-10s with earnings totaling US$289,870.
- Pavit Tangkamolprasert had his breakthrough year in 2016 when he won the Venetian Macau Open, his lone Asian Tour victory to date.
- This was also his best season on the Asian Tour so far, finishing 12th on the Order of Merit and keeping his Tour card for the first time.
- The 30-year-old Thai is a six-time winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), including four wins in the 2014 season when he topped the ADT Order of Merit by a mere US$250.
Ends.
Incheon, Korea, September 19: Korean-American Chan Kim took advantage of his booming drives to share the first round lead with Japan’s Shugo Imahira after signing for a five-under-par 66 at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open on Thursday.
Kim, a former Asian Tour member, currently leads the driving distance on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) and powered ahead after overcoming a nervy start where he dropped four shots in his opening four holes at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club.
Imahira, who is the highest ranked Japanese in the field this week, also underlined his credentials by marking his card with six birdies and one bogey to share the morning’s spotlight with Kim.
The Japanese is making his first competitive start in Korea this week and did not display any sign of nerves, showing composure with his shot accuracy on the opening day.
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent found himself in familiar position on the leaderboard again as he signed for a 67 to stay in the mix, one shot off the lead in a share of third place with Korea’s Taehee Lee and Australia’s Wonjoon Lee at the Shinhan Donghae Open title which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and JGTO.
Ends.
Did you know?
- Chan Kim is a former member of the Asian Tour. He topped the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2013.
- He finished third on the JGTO money list in 2017, thanks to three wins.
- Kim came in second at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour in July where he earned his spot to The Open.
- He is currently leading the driving distance stats category (320.34) on the JGTO.
- Shugo Imahira won the 2018 Order of Merit on the Japan Golf Tour and ended last year in 53rd place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) last year.
- He is ranked 75th on the OWGR and is coming into the week on the back of two top-10s in his last two weeks on the JGTO.
- Taehee Lee trained under Korean legend Sangho Choi, who is the third oldest winner on the Asian Tour, having won the Maekyung Open at the age of 50 years and 145 days.
- The Korean immediately took up an Asian Tour membership after winning The 38th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship in May.
- Lee won the Genesis Championship in 2018 for his second professional victory. That win earned him two starts on the PGA Tour – The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges last October and the Genesis Open in February earlier this year.
- He enjoyed a solid season in 2018, claiming one victory and four top-10 finishes on his domestic circuit.
- Lee also claimed his first career victory in 2015.
- Scott Vincent, the only Zimbabwean member on Tour, has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
- He finished tied-second in 2016, tied-third in 2017 and second last year.
- Vincent claimed his first international win at the Landic Challenge 7 held on the Japan Challenge Tour in June.
- He notched four top-10s in Australia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia to sit in ninth place on the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not missed a single cut in eight starts so far this season.
- Vincent was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 after ending his season in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
Shugo Imahira (Jpn) First round 66 (-5)
I was very accurate with my shots today. I hit most of them onto the fairways. Although this is my first time playing competitively in Korea, I feel like home, like in Japan, I’m very comfortable here. I’m very happy with my position now. I don’t have too much of a strategy, to be honest. I don’t want to complicate the process. I just want to focus on each shot, see where they land and then approach it from there. To me, this is another tournament, which I’ll approach in the same manner as the others.
Chan Kim (Usa) First round 66 (-5)
It was tough in the beginning, but my birdie on 13 changed things. The winds died down and I managed to regain my momentum. It became more of a mental game for me at that point. The winds were working to my advantage and I had a great feel of my putter each time I lined up for my putts. That really helped today. The rough are really thick this week and it favours the long hitters like me as it gives you a higher chance to hit it further and put the ball on the green. I’ve got a good feeling about my game and hopefully, this could be my week.
Scott Vincent (Zim) First round 67 (-4)
I got some good history here and got back into the mix again. I hit the ball very nicely today and I hope to carry this form forward to the next three days. It was important for me to get off to a good start and I’m glad I managed to do that today. There were a few shots that I could have done better but overall, it was still a solid round and I’m happy. There have been a lot of changes since last year. The rough feels very much the same but actually it’s thicker out there. The speed on the greens has picked up from yesterday and I’m sure it’s going to be like that again the next three days.
Taehee Lee (Kor) First round 67 (-4)
The course is very challenging and I’m pleasantly surprised how I managed to return with such a good score. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to excel, sometimes too much. I missed the cut in India last week, and that somehow put things into perspective for me. Sometimes even when I try so hard, I still miss the cut, I knew I was putting too much pressure on myself and maybe sometimes have to take a step back a bit. You’ve to hit fairways to give yourself chances here. Even if I missed with my tee shots, I was still able to recover and put the ball back onto the fairway with my second shot. Since taking up membership with the Asian Tour, it has been a good experience traveling to the different countries. I’ve learnt a lot about myself too. I enjoy the comforts of home this week. It’s a steep learning curve for me especially with the food, weather and culture. But as a professional, I’ve got to learn how to play outside my comfort zone too.
Ends.
Incheon, Korea, September 18: Korea’s Sanghyun Park has ruled out being a shoo-in to successfully defend his Shinhan Donghae Open title when the event which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) starts on Thursday.
Fresh off another victory on the Japan Golf Tour a fortnight ago, Park is brimming with confidence ahead of his title defence at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club.
However, he is not taking anything for granted, insisting his task is now made tougher by the quality field from the three Tours.
The 36-year-old had a season to remember last year when he won twice and capped another three top-10s to finish second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and crowned the Rookie of the Year.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond is ready to put up a challenge befitting of his status as the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader.
Jazz’s rise, which he credited to his country’s elder statesman like Thongchai Jaidee, has been well documented with his victories in Singapore and Korea this year and for this week’s 35th Shinhan Donghae Open, the 23-year-old will turning to Zimbabwean Scott Vincent for advice given the latter’s impressive record at the tournament.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira, who is the highest ranked Japanese this week, will be hoping to make it a memorable week in what is going to be his first competitive start in Korea.
Imahira’s distinguished career has seen him win twice on the Japan Golf Tour and topping their money list last year.
Did you know?
- Sanghyun Park’s winning score of a 22-under-par 262 in 2018 would be the record lowest in the tournament history if not for the preferred lies ruling in play.
- Park was the best-placed Asian player when he finished in tied-16th place at The 148th Open in July.
- Park won twice on the Asian Tour last year. Finished second on the Order of Merit and was crowned the Rookie of the Year.
- Jazz Janewattananond is making his first return to Korea after winning their National Open in July.
- That win was his second victory this season and fourth Asian Tour title.
- At the age of 23 years 6 months and 27 days, Jazz becomes the youngest ever player to achieve four wins on Tour.
- In his last two starts on the Asian Tour, Jazz has finished tied-sixth on both occasions in Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Jazz also enjoyed a tied-14th place finish at the PGA Championship in June which was the best-ever result achieved by a Thai player at the PGA Championship.
- Shugo Imahira received a special invitation to play at The Masters Tournament this year. It was his first appearance at The Masters where he would unfortunately missed the cut.
- Imahira won the 2018 Order of Merit on the Japan Golf Tour and ended last year in 53rd place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) last year.
- He is ranked 75th on the OWGR and is coming into the week on the back of two top-10s in his last two weeks on the JGTO.
The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open: Round 3 Highlights
By - Olle Norberg
[addtoany]
Catch up on highlights from round 3 of the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent continued to hold on to his lead after signing for a third round three-under-par 68 as Typhoon Tapah threatens to affect the final round of the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Incheon, Korea, September 21: Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent continued to hold on to his lead after signing for a third round three-under-par 68 as Typhoon Tapah threatens to affect the final round of the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
The centre of the typhoon will be approximately 300km away from the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club on Sunday and in the event the final round cannot be completed, regardless of the number of holes completed, the tournament will be declared as a 54-hole tournament.
Depending on the weather situation on the final round, Vincent stands on the verge of lifting his maiden Asian Tour title, having come so close to winning on several occasions since he made his debut on the Tour.
The Zimbabwean’s three-day total of 11-under-par 202 was enough to give him a two-shot advantage over Korea’s Sung Kang, South Africa’s Jbe Kruger and Japan’s Shugo Imahira who returned with matching 204 total to share second place.
Vincent has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club and despite stumbling early with a bogey on the second hole, he demonstrated his resolve by bouncing back with a pair of birdies on the sixth and seventh holes.
He dropped another shot again on the par-four 10th but recovered quickly again with birdies on 11 and 13 before a closing birdie on 18 allowed him to pull ahead from the chasing pack with a two-shot cushion at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Ends.
Did you know?
- Scott Vincent, the only Zimbabwean member on Tour, has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
- He finished tied-second in 2016, tied-third in 2017 and second last year.
- Vincent claimed his first international win at the Landic Challenge 7 held on the Japan Challenge Tour in June.
- He notched four top-10s in Australia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia to sit in ninth place on the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not missed a single cut in eight starts so far this season.
- Vincent was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 after ending his season in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
- Jbe Kruger has won once on the Asian Tour in the 2012 Avantha Masters in India, a tournament that was co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
- Hailing from Northern Cape province in South Africa, he has also recorded four career wins on the Sunshine Tour. The latest title coming at the Sun Carnival City Challenge in 2017.
- The 33-year-old got his nickname Jbe from the initials in his full name, James Barry Kruger.
- Sunghoon Kang has previously won one title on the Asian Tour, the 2013 CJ Invitational Hosted by KJ Choi.
- The 32-year-old Korean also has victories in two other events. The Kolon Korean Open the week following his win at CJ Invitational, and most notably the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour.
- This year, Kang finished seventh in the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, his best finish in a Major to date.
- He also had his best career season on the PGA TOUR finishing 45th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Ends.
Read what the leading contender have to say after the third round of The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Scott Vincent (Zim) Third round 68 (-3) Total 202 (-11)
I had a shaky start. I hit a wayward one on the second hole. But you know, I was just really proud of the way that I held it together, and you know I made some good swings coming in to close out that nine and get myself under par. Which was something really huge for me. And then I held it well together on the back. I made some good putts and I hit it close enough to make putts, so it was just a good solid day. I had a great up and down on 17. That was a tricky little putt, not one you want right at the end. I’m planning on playing so I’ll be ready to go regardless of the typhoon. That birdie on the last that was huge. Many times this year I’ve missed a good makeable birdie putt on the last, it was big for me to make that. It was a fairly simple read, just outside the right edge and just give it enough speed. That was just one of those drives (on 18) that just came right out of the middle and had a great flight on it. We had some wind helping us behind and I assume it got a good kick as well. So yeah, it was just one of those ones that you happy to see get on the fairway, because if you hit that rough, it’s thick.
Jbe Kruger (Rsa) Third round 67 (-4) Total 136 (-6)
I didn’t know there was a typhoon coming in but well we’ll see what happens then. I think if it does rain, it’s going to be really difficult. If you want to score, the key is to hit it straight off the tee and if it rains it makes it so much harder to actually hit it straight. It’s going to be brutal I think if it does rain. It’s very familiar, a couple years ago when Gaganjeet won he also had rain in final round and I was playing with him. So, I can draw from past experience and that might just help
I probably say my putting helped me today. I probably hit the ball the worst I’ve hit all week. But my putting kept me in it. You know, I missed a lot of greens, but I scrambled and didn’t make one bogey. But you know, I missed so many green and still didn’t make a bogey, so the putting was really helpful.
Sung Kang (Kor) Third round 65 (-6) Total 204 (-9)
I was playing as though today’s like the last day of the tournament because I heard the typhoon is coming tomorrow so I tried to do all the best I could today. I played actually lot more solid than the last couple days, I hit the ball better and putted a little better too. That’s why I shot a lower round. It has been a good year for me and I’m definitely bring that confidence and positive vibes into this week. It has been nine months since I’ve been away from Korea and it’s nice to catch up with my family and friends and having good Korean food again.
Catch up on highlights from round 2 of The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Read what leading contenders have to say after their second round of the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Scott Vincent (Zim) Second round 67 (-4) Total 134 (-8)
It was just really solid round, I played great. Obviously, I started on the tougher nine in my eyes, the back nine, and got to three under that side so it was just like the best way I could have started.
Then things were a little shaky on the back nine (course front nine), but I held it together and shot one under that side so yeah, just a nice solid day. On the back nine there’s just not that many birdie chances, so you have to hit some really good shots but yeah, it’s a good course and it’s playing tough. I like the way it [the course] sets up. I don’t feel that uncomfortable too often out there. You know, I feel fairly free so for me it’s just the way it sets up. The way it maybe follows my game, it just it just feels right. I think having a bit of distance here definitely helps. You know, the rough is tough so the further up you can be, the less club in. And it makes a huge difference.
You know if you’re trying to get out of this with a seven or six-iron, good luck. You need you need a pitching wedge or nine iron.
Jbe Kruger (Rsa) Second round 67 (-4) Total 136 (-6)
It is unexpected to say the least. You know, like always say I haven’t said it for a long time because I haven’t been in contention. You know, the Lord Jesus knows what he’s doing. And that’s about all I can say. I’ve liked the golf course from the first day. You know, it’s designed by Jack Nicklaus which is the same as my own course. So it’s, it looks familiar to me. It’s the anticipation of things to come and fighting to be in contention is definitely in my blood. It’s the process of coming back into contention and I literally have to take it step by step.
Paul Peterson (Usa) Second round 68 (-3) Total 136 (-6)
I felt like I stayed patient out there all day. My iron game wasn’t quite as spot on as it was yesterday, but I still managed to take advantage of the opportunities that I had today. I’m very pleased to be able to bounce back with a birdie each time I bogeyed. That kind of helped me to keep the momentum. It was a little bit cooler today and but the course definitely played a lot longer in the morning than it did yesterday. So yeah, I felt like it played maybe a little bit more difficult with some of the pin locations. And then obviously having a couple more clubs into some of the par-fours, but I was still able to put together nice round. I feel like my game has been heading in a positive direction for a while now. It’s just putting together four good rounds and getting the results. I feel like my short games got a lot better last four or five months and just got to continue to drive the ball well and stay aggressive with iron shots.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha) Second round 68 (-3) Total 138 (-4) I’m very happy with my game today. I just had one bad hole which I hit into the water twice from the tee and that caused me four shots on the fourth hole. But overall, my driver was very good. Most of my shots landed on the fairway and I was able to attack the pins better today. I’ve to stick closely to my game plan and continue to keep the ball on the fairway and avoid the rough this weekend. I have been playing well since Sarawak, so I’m very confident with my game right now.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent continued to show why he is one of the tournament favourites when he signed for another four-under-par 67 to take the second round lead at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open .
Incheon, Korea, September 20: Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent continued to show why he is one of the tournament favourites when he signed for another four-under-par 67 to take the second round lead at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open on Friday.
The Zimbabwean, who has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club was ready for another battle- one which he hopes he can emerge victorious this time around.
Vincent demonstrated his intent of winning when he raced towards the turn in 32 after marking his card with three birdies. He then birdied the par-five second before dropping his only shot of the day at the next hole.
Another birdie on the sixth hole before finishing his round with three straight pars for a two-day total of eight-under-par 134 would eventually give him a two-shot cushion over a quartet of players.
They include American Paul Peterson, Korea’s Hyungjoon Lee, Japan’s Shugo Imahira and South Africa’s Jbe Kruger, who are tied for second with their 136 total.
Peterson is also making his push towards the winner’s circle again after he returned with a 68 while Kruger believes he could likely end his seven-year drought on the Asian Tour with some divine help at at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert also displayed his return to form when he signed for a 68 to end into the weekend rounds in tied-10th place, four shots back of Vincent.
The Thai has only missed the cut twice out of 10 starts on the Asian Tour and was seemingly in control until a quadruple bogey and bogey on the fourth and fifth holes respectively marred an otherwise perfect card.
The weekend cut was set at one-over 143 with 65 players making it into the final two rounds.
Ends.
Did you know?
- Scott Vincent, the only Zimbabwean member on Tour, has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
- He finished tied-second in 2016, tied-third in 2017 and second last year.
- Vincent claimed his first international win at the Landic Challenge 7 held on the Japan Challenge Tour in June.
- He notched four top-10s in Australia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia to sit in ninth place on the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not missed a single cut in eight starts so far this season.
- Vincent was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 after ending his season in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
- Jbe Kruger has won once on the Asian Tour in the 2012 Avantha Masters in India, a tournament that was co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
- Hailing from Northern Cape province in South Africa, he has also recorded four career wins on the Sunshine Tour. The latest title coming at the Sun Carnival City Challenge in 2017.
- The 33-year-old got his nickname Jbe from the initials in his full name, James Barry Kruger.
- Paul Peterson secured his maiden Asian Tour title when won the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open in 2018 by two shots.
- He also won the D+D Real Czech Masters on the European Tour in 2016.
- This year the American has split his time between the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour and European Tour, with a tied-13th in the 100th New Zealand Open as his best result.
- The 31-year-old Peterson’s best year on the Asian Tour was in 2015 when he finished fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, posting six top-10s with earnings totaling US$289,870.
- Pavit Tangkamolprasert had his breakthrough year in 2016 when he won the Venetian Macau Open, his lone Asian Tour victory to date.
- This was also his best season on the Asian Tour so far, finishing 12th on the Order of Merit and keeping his Tour card for the first time.
- The 30-year-old Thai is a six-time winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), including four wins in the 2014 season when he topped the ADT Order of Merit by a mere US$250.
Ends.
Catch up on highlights from round 1 of the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Korean-American Chan Kim took advantage of his booming drives to share the clubhouse lead with Japan’s Shugo Imahira with his first round five-under-par 66 at the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Incheon, Korea, September 19: Korean-American Chan Kim took advantage of his booming drives to share the first round lead with Japan’s Shugo Imahira after signing for a five-under-par 66 at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open on Thursday.
Kim, a former Asian Tour member, currently leads the driving distance on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) and powered ahead after overcoming a nervy start where he dropped four shots in his opening four holes at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club.
Imahira, who is the highest ranked Japanese in the field this week, also underlined his credentials by marking his card with six birdies and one bogey to share the morning’s spotlight with Kim.
The Japanese is making his first competitive start in Korea this week and did not display any sign of nerves, showing composure with his shot accuracy on the opening day.
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent found himself in familiar position on the leaderboard again as he signed for a 67 to stay in the mix, one shot off the lead in a share of third place with Korea’s Taehee Lee and Australia’s Wonjoon Lee at the Shinhan Donghae Open title which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and JGTO.
Ends.
Did you know?
- Chan Kim is a former member of the Asian Tour. He topped the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2013.
- He finished third on the JGTO money list in 2017, thanks to three wins.
- Kim came in second at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour in July where he earned his spot to The Open.
- He is currently leading the driving distance stats category (320.34) on the JGTO.
- Shugo Imahira won the 2018 Order of Merit on the Japan Golf Tour and ended last year in 53rd place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) last year.
- He is ranked 75th on the OWGR and is coming into the week on the back of two top-10s in his last two weeks on the JGTO.
- Taehee Lee trained under Korean legend Sangho Choi, who is the third oldest winner on the Asian Tour, having won the Maekyung Open at the age of 50 years and 145 days.
- The Korean immediately took up an Asian Tour membership after winning The 38th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship in May.
- Lee won the Genesis Championship in 2018 for his second professional victory. That win earned him two starts on the PGA Tour – The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges last October and the Genesis Open in February earlier this year.
- He enjoyed a solid season in 2018, claiming one victory and four top-10 finishes on his domestic circuit.
- Lee also claimed his first career victory in 2015.
- Scott Vincent, the only Zimbabwean member on Tour, has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
- He finished tied-second in 2016, tied-third in 2017 and second last year.
- Vincent claimed his first international win at the Landic Challenge 7 held on the Japan Challenge Tour in June.
- He notched four top-10s in Australia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia to sit in ninth place on the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not missed a single cut in eight starts so far this season.
- Vincent was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 after ending his season in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
Read what leading contenders have to say after their opening rounds at the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open.
Shugo Imahira (Jpn) First round 66 (-5)
I was very accurate with my shots today. I hit most of them onto the fairways. Although this is my first time playing competitively in Korea, I feel like home, like in Japan, I’m very comfortable here. I’m very happy with my position now. I don’t have too much of a strategy, to be honest. I don’t want to complicate the process. I just want to focus on each shot, see where they land and then approach it from there. To me, this is another tournament, which I’ll approach in the same manner as the others.
Chan Kim (Usa) First round 66 (-5)
It was tough in the beginning, but my birdie on 13 changed things. The winds died down and I managed to regain my momentum. It became more of a mental game for me at that point. The winds were working to my advantage and I had a great feel of my putter each time I lined up for my putts. That really helped today. The rough are really thick this week and it favours the long hitters like me as it gives you a higher chance to hit it further and put the ball on the green. I’ve got a good feeling about my game and hopefully, this could be my week.
Scott Vincent (Zim) First round 67 (-4)
I got some good history here and got back into the mix again. I hit the ball very nicely today and I hope to carry this form forward to the next three days. It was important for me to get off to a good start and I’m glad I managed to do that today. There were a few shots that I could have done better but overall, it was still a solid round and I’m happy. There have been a lot of changes since last year. The rough feels very much the same but actually it’s thicker out there. The speed on the greens has picked up from yesterday and I’m sure it’s going to be like that again the next three days.
Taehee Lee (Kor) First round 67 (-4)
The course is very challenging and I’m pleasantly surprised how I managed to return with such a good score. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to excel, sometimes too much. I missed the cut in India last week, and that somehow put things into perspective for me. Sometimes even when I try so hard, I still miss the cut, I knew I was putting too much pressure on myself and maybe sometimes have to take a step back a bit. You’ve to hit fairways to give yourself chances here. Even if I missed with my tee shots, I was still able to recover and put the ball back onto the fairway with my second shot. Since taking up membership with the Asian Tour, it has been a good experience traveling to the different countries. I’ve learnt a lot about myself too. I enjoy the comforts of home this week. It’s a steep learning curve for me especially with the food, weather and culture. But as a professional, I’ve got to learn how to play outside my comfort zone too.
Ends.
Incheon, Korea, September 18: Korea’s Sanghyun Park has ruled out being a shoo-in to successfully defend his Shinhan Donghae Open title when the event which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) starts on Thursday. Fresh off another victory on the Japan Golf Tour a fortnight ago, […]
Incheon, Korea, September 18: Korea’s Sanghyun Park has ruled out being a shoo-in to successfully defend his Shinhan Donghae Open title when the event which is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) starts on Thursday.
Fresh off another victory on the Japan Golf Tour a fortnight ago, Park is brimming with confidence ahead of his title defence at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club.
However, he is not taking anything for granted, insisting his task is now made tougher by the quality field from the three Tours.
The 36-year-old had a season to remember last year when he won twice and capped another three top-10s to finish second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and crowned the Rookie of the Year.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond is ready to put up a challenge befitting of his status as the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader.
Jazz’s rise, which he credited to his country’s elder statesman like Thongchai Jaidee, has been well documented with his victories in Singapore and Korea this year and for this week’s 35th Shinhan Donghae Open, the 23-year-old will turning to Zimbabwean Scott Vincent for advice given the latter’s impressive record at the tournament.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira, who is the highest ranked Japanese this week, will be hoping to make it a memorable week in what is going to be his first competitive start in Korea.
Imahira’s distinguished career has seen him win twice on the Japan Golf Tour and topping their money list last year.
Did you know?
- Sanghyun Park’s winning score of a 22-under-par 262 in 2018 would be the record lowest in the tournament history if not for the preferred lies ruling in play.
- Park was the best-placed Asian player when he finished in tied-16th place at The 148th Open in July.
- Park won twice on the Asian Tour last year. Finished second on the Order of Merit and was crowned the Rookie of the Year.
- Jazz Janewattananond is making his first return to Korea after winning their National Open in July.
- That win was his second victory this season and fourth Asian Tour title.
- At the age of 23 years 6 months and 27 days, Jazz becomes the youngest ever player to achieve four wins on Tour.
- In his last two starts on the Asian Tour, Jazz has finished tied-sixth on both occasions in Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Jazz also enjoyed a tied-14th place finish at the PGA Championship in June which was the best-ever result achieved by a Thai player at the PGA Championship.
- Shugo Imahira received a special invitation to play at The Masters Tournament this year. It was his first appearance at The Masters where he would unfortunately missed the cut.
- Imahira won the 2018 Order of Merit on the Japan Golf Tour and ended last year in 53rd place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) last year.
- He is ranked 75th on the OWGR and is coming into the week on the back of two top-10s in his last two weeks on the JGTO.
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