Mandiri Indonesia Open to return to Pondok Indah Golf Course at mid-way point of 2023 season
The 2023 edition of the Indonesia Open will return this year once again with Mandiri on board as the title sponsor and Jakarta’s Pondok Indah Golf Course as the host venue.
The time-honoured event – so memorably won last season by Indian star Gaganjeet Bhullar, for a record-setting third time – will be played from 3-6 August, and boasts prizemoney of US$500,000. It will be the 11th stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour, said: “We were privileged to witness a great moment in Asian golf history last year when Gaganjeet Bhullar claimed Indonesia’s national Open for a third time – something no player has achieved.
“His victory added another thrilling chapter to the tournament’s rich history. Indeed, the event has given us so many great moments and, as ever, we look forward to returning there in a few months, at the mid-point of our season. We thank Mandiri, the Indonesian Golf Association and Pondok Indah Golf Course for their much-valued support and commitment.”
The prestigious tournament is also the next event on the Asian Tour following last month’s Kolon Korea Open – where victory went to American Seungsu Han. And it precedes the Asian Tour’s trip to the UK later in the month for the International Series England and the St Andrews Bay Championship – an inaugural event, also part of this year’s 10-leg International Series.
Watershed moment for Gaganjeet Bhullar Picture by Graham Uden, Asian Tour.
Local fans will have a firm eye on their rising star Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra who, as an amateur, led after the third round in 2019, before finishing fourth behind the champion Miguel Carballo from Argentina.
The Indonesian has since turned professional and won three times on the Asian Development Tour – including this year’s season-opening Singha Phuket Open in May
Last year at Pondok Indah, Bhullar produced one of the finest rounds of his career, a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 for a formidable tournament total of 20 under and a two-shot victory over England’s Steve Lewton and Indian Rashid Khan.
The Indian put on a putting masterclass, holing brilliant birdie putts and crucial par saves, to record his 10th win on the Asian Tour and first since 2018. He has won more titles on the Asian Tour than any other player from his country. Bhullar claimed the event in 2013 and 2016 – with the latter win also at Pondok Indah.
Pondok Indah has been rated as one of Indonesia’s leading golfing courses for more than 40 years. They have hosted many international tournaments, including the World Cup of Golf in 1983, and boasts a Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed course, opened in 1976.
The Indonesia Open was able to return to the calendar last year following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dating back to 1974, its roll of honour includes late, great American Payne Stewart (1981) and fellow Major champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland (2014).
Other international golfers who have savoured success in the championship include New Zealander Frank Nobilo, Australian Craig Parry and South African Justin Harding.
Among the famous Asian players to have had their names inscribed on the trophy are Frankie Minoza of the Philippines, Thais Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, and Chinese Taipei’s Lu Hsi-chuen and Lu Chien-soon.
Kasiadi is the only Indonesian golfer to have lifted the trophy, his triumph coming in 1989.
Cameron Smith stood on the 18th green, put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes, trying to process the conflicting range of emotions following Sunday’s dramatic finish at LIV Golf London.
He was elated to win the individual title, his second victory in 13 regular season starts since joining LIV Golf. It was a perfect way to build momentum entering his title defense in two weeks at the Open Championship.
Yet he was disappointed to have missed a six-foot putt for par that would’ve forced the first team playoff in LIV Golf history. Instead, his bogey on the final hole at Centurion Club dropped his all-Australian Ripper GC into second, one shot behind 4Aces GC, this season’s points leaders that won their second team title of the season while having to sweat out Smith’s putt.
“Obviously thrilled about the individual win, but it would’ve been nice to get up there with the boys,” said Smith, who shot a final-round three-under 68 for a winning score of 15 under. “It’s a bit of mixed emotions at the moment.”
Cameron Smith of Australia tees off from the 10th hole during day three of LIV Golf London at The Centurion Club on July 09, 2023 in St Albans, England. Picture by Tom Dulat/Getty Images.
Smith and teammate Marc Leishman, playing in the final group Sunday, were the last hope for the Rippers to catch the 4Aces, who rallied from four strokes down to start the day to take the lead at 34 under. The Rippers were at 33 under going into the final hole, the par-five 18th. Individually, Smith had a two-shot lead over the 4Aces’ Patrick Reed.
Smith was forced to lay up after his drive found the rough, but Leishman’s second shot was just off the back of the green. As Smith played his third shot, a gust of wind pushed his ball into the bunker. He blasted out to six feet. Leishman then completed his two putt for birdie, leveling the team leaderboard while finishing in a tie for second individually with Reed.
Then the unexpected happened. After a brilliant week of putting – especially on Sunday as he holed more than 105 feet of putts in his first 10 holes – Smith’s par attempt slid past the hole. His individual win was sealed, but the opportunity for the Rippers’ first team victory was lost.
“I really wanted Cam to make the one on the last there,” Leishman said. “He played great and putted great all week. To win the tournament and still walk off the green disappointed, I guess that’s what this is all about, the team format.”
The 4Aces certainly seem to have the formula for success in the team competition. Sunday’s win was their sixth regular-season team title going back to last season, and their second this season, having won in Adelaide. It also increases their lead in the team point standings to 39 points over Torque GC, the three-time tournament winners this year.
Reed provided the Aces with their lowest score of the day, a 65 that moved him to 14 under. The other two contributing scores belonged to Pat Perez, who shot a bogey-free 66, and captain Dustin Johnson with a 67 (with Peter Uihlein’s 68 not counting).
The 4Aces had started slowly on Friday, shooting just three under as a team, before shooting 31 under on the weekend. While they haven’t been as dominant as last season, they remain the team to beat through nine events. Sunday’s outcome was the latest evidence.
“We were seeing a lot of those teams getting too close to us at the top of that board,” Reed said. “I felt like as a team, we just weren’t really getting the numbers we wanted to. This week meant a lot for us to go out and make a statement.”
Winners of the Team event, members of the 4Aces, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Pat Perez and Peter Uihlein pose with the trophy. Picture by Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images.
One of those statements involves the ability to finish off tournaments. Reed was a bogey-free seven under on his first 11 holes. Perez was four under on his last seven holes. Johnson supplied an eagle and a birdie in the back end of his round as the Aces kept cutting into the Rippers’ lead – and eventually overtaking them.
“That was the biggest thing,” Reed said. “We kept pressure on them.”
It came down to the last hole, with LIV Golf’s best putter in the spotlight. Six feet away from forcing LIV Golf’s first team playoff.
“Cam hasn’t missed one of those in his life, so I’m pretty shocked,” Perez said. “Nonetheless, it would’ve been cool. That would’ve been a separator again in golf, to have a team playoff. I think it would’ve been awesome.”
It didn’t work this time for Smith and his Rippers, but their second-place finish – the team’s best result – is something to build on.
“We showed that we’re a contender of the team stuff,” Smith said. “That’s where we want to be every week.”
Text courtesy of LIV Golf.
Chan Shih-chang will be hoping a return to the scene of the most coveted win of his career will spark a strong finish to the 2023 Asian Tour season.
After a titanic battle with Indian Rashid Khan, Chan (main picture) emerged victorious in last year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters at the historic Taiwan Golf & Country Club.
It’s a success he’ll be aiming to repeat when the 37th edition of the US$1 million event takes place from September 28 to October 1.
Set to act as the 16th leg of the 2023 campaign, confirmation of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters means Asian Tour members can look forward to a two-week swing in the country.
A week earlier, Linkou International Golf and Country Club will be the venue for the Yeangder TPC.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour’s Commissioner & CEO, said: “The Mercuries Taiwan Masters has been a backbone event on the Asian Tour since the turn of the century and returning to the Tamsui course at Taiwan Golf & Country Club is always a pleasure for our members.
Rashid Khan was beaten in extra time at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last year. Picture by Chen So-ko/Asian Tour.
“As a popular stop on the Asian Tour for many decades, we’re delighted to be able to stage back-to-back events in Chinese-Taipei again this year.”
On the back of his defeat of Khan at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off last year, Chan placed sixth on the 2022 Order of Merit. It was the third occasion the man with five Asian Tour titles and six Asian Development Tour wins to his name had finished in the top-10 in the standings.
During the first half of 2023, though, Chan struggled for consistency, missing the cut in four of the nine events in which he competed. His best performance came in the International Series Qatar where he tied for 13th.
However, given his intimate knowledge of the tree-lined Tamsui Course that was founded in 1919, Chan will be looking to further improve on his remarkable record at the storied venue and become only the second player to make a successful title defence, after compatriot Lu Wen-teh (2007 and 2008).
Prior to his first Asian Tour victory on home soil last year, Chan tied third in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2021 and equal second in 2020. Due to travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament was not part of the Asian Tour for those two years.
Lu Wen-teh is the only player to have successfully defended the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Picture by David Paul Morris/Asian Tour via Getty Images.
The richest professional men’s golf tournament in the country, the Mercuries Taiwan Masters has been dominated by home players since its inauguration in 1987.
With four wins, Lu Wen-teh is the most successful player in the tournament’s history followed by Lu Wei-chih (three wins) and Tsai Chi-huang (two).
The most recent overseas players to triumph are Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai (2019), Brazilian Adilson da Silva (2018) and Malaysian Gavin Green (2017).
Professionals and top amateurs alike will be afforded the opportunity to compete in this summer’s inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship through an 18-hole qualifying tournament – organisers announced today.
The qualifier will take place on 15 August at Fairmont St Andrews, the venue for the US$1.5 million event, to be played from 24-27 August.
Six places will be up for grabs in the Asian Tour event, which is part of The International Series, from a maximum starting field of 120 players.
It represents an incredible chance to play in an extremely lucrative tournament in the historic region where golf originated, against some of the game’s best players, as Spain’s Sergio Garcia, and Chileans Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira, have confirmed their participation, with further marquee player announcements to follow.
Said Callum Nicoll, Director of Golf & Estates at Fairmont St Andrews: “The 18-hole qualifier is a gateway into the St Andrew Bay Championship that will provide an outstanding opportunity, particularly for many of the top golfers in Scotland, to experience playing in a world-class event, against world-class opponents.
Sergio Garcia will be the star attraction at the St Andrews Bay Championship. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
“Fairmont St Andrews is excited to be a part of what is a new and important event on the golf calendar here in Scotland. It is going to be an incredible week of golf and the countdown to tournament week essentially starts with the qualification event.”
Players can enter online as of today with places allocated on a first come first served basis, based on the categories for all golfers. Included in the 120 places are a minimum of 10 Asian Tour members and 20 amateur places, which will be allocated in a handicap ballot. The maximum handicap limit for amateurs is 0.4 at time of entry.
Entries must be made via the entry form here, where all information relating to the event can also be found: St. Andrews Bay Championship Qualifier Event : (golfgenius.com)
All online entries must be received by 5.00pm on Monday 31 July.
A draw will be made by 2 August to select entrants, as well as to select a list of reserves.
The qualifier is open to all male amateur and professional golfers of any nationality, embracing the Asian Tour and International Series’ core values of diversity and inclusivity.
The St Andrews Bay Championship will be the 12th leg of the 2023 Asian Tour season and the sixth stop on The International Series.
Part of the Asian Tour’s 2023 ‘UK Summer Swing’, the St Andrews Bay Championship will be preceded by the International Series England, at Close House in Newcastle.
Last week Scotland’s Rory Franssen won the 18 qualifier for the International Series England. Six players in total made it through at Close House.
As Talor Gooch stood over his 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation Sunday afternoon at LIV Golf Andalucia, his confidence level was extremely high. In addition to making a positive stroke, he imagined the celebration afterward when the putt dropped.
“Just felt like I was going to make it,” Gooch said. “Before I even hit the putt, I was already visualizing the fist pump that was coming with it. I’m glad it went in.”
Gooch’s dramatic birdie at Real Club Valderrama gave him a one-stroke victory over a battling Bryson DeChambeau and makes the RangeGoats GC star the first three-time individual winner in LIV Golf’s young history. Gooch shot a final-round four-under-par 67 to finish at 12 under, with the Crushers GC captain at 11 under after his 69. Smash GC Captain Brooks Koepka finished third at nine under.
All three of Gooch’s victories in 2023 have come outside his native United States, as he previously won back-to-back events in Adelaide and Singapore to become the first player to win consecutive LIV Golf events.
“Last year I didn’t get a win, so this year I was just so focused on getting an individual win,” said Gooch, who now leads the Individual Champion race by 27 points over Koepka. “You don’t think much past the first one until you get the first one. I definitely didn’t have three in mind for the season, but it’s cool that we’re here, and it’s especially cool to have the third one here at Valderrama.”
Gooch wasn’t the only three-time winner Sunday. The Spanish-speaking Torque GC, captained by Joaquin Niemann, also won its third team title of the season with a final-round best seven-under counting score to finish at 16 under, five strokes ahead of the RangeGoats, with Crushers GC finishing third. Niemann and Sebastián Muñoz posted 69s while David Puig contributed a 69. Those three played the last three holes of their rounds in a cumulative four under.
CADIZ, SPAIN – JULY 02: Joaquin Niemann, David Puig, Sebastian Muñoz and Mito Pereira of Torque GC celebrates the victory of the Torque GC team at LIV GOLF during day three of LIV Golf – Andalucia at Real Club Valderrama on July 2, 2023 in Cadiz, Spain. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images).
It’s the second consecutive win for Torque, who won last month in DC. Torque is now just seven points behind season-long leader 4Aces GC, who finished fourth at Valderrama.
The win was especially sweet for the 21-year-old Puig, the youngest player on the LIV Golf League roster and one of three Spanish-born players in the field along with Fireballs GC’s Sergio Garcia and Eugenio Chacarra.
“It’s amazing,” said Puig. “Playing at home is always good, and it’s even more special when you get a win and when you get a win with this group of guys. It was a great week.”
Said Niemann: “Having David also the main character of this tournament is really special for us. I think it makes it a lot easier when we do everything together like we are a team.
“You can see in the results, we’re playing great golf, and just looking forward for the rest of the season, try to keep doing the same and having a good time, as well.”
Gooch certainly is playing great golf as he went toe-to-toe with major champions DeChambeau and Koepka in the final group. After making his only bogey of the day at the par-four ninth, Gooch was a bogey-free four under on the back nine.
DeChambeau was two strokes ahead at the turn but Gooch caught him with birdies at 10 and 13. They each birdied the par-five 17th to remain tied. Gooch then hit a brilliant approach shot to 12 feet, while DeChambeau had to navigate trees with his second shot, his ball landing in the rough behind the green. His chip shot set up an easy par, but Gooch made it a moot point by draining his birdie putt.
“My game is obviously in a good state, and I knew if I could get myself in the fairway a bunch, we were going to have a chance to win down the stretch,” Gooch said. “We just kept plodding along, plodding along, and didn’t really make a bunch of putts. That was the longest putt of the day, obviously, so it was nice to save the best one for last.”
Former world number five Ian Poulter, will join his long-time friend and Majesticks GC co-captain Lee Westwood, in an ever-strengthening field for the upcoming International Series England, at Close House from 17-20 August.
The fifth tournament of The International Series 2023, and 11th on the Asian Tour, can expect the flamboyant fashionista to bring some colour to the famously monochromatic city of Newcastle, and not for the first time.
Poulter has dazzled golf fans at Close House previously – the Englishman put rounds of 66, 65, 68 and 70 together to finish tied-11th on his last competitive visit in 2017.
Now looking ahead to the hotly anticipated North-eastern showdown, Poulter said: “I always enjoy the opportunity to tee-up on home turf and Close House is a fantastic venue where the crowds are packed with knowledgeable golf fans.
Ian Poulter with the trophy after winning the Barclays Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club in 2009. Picture by Ian Walton/Getty Images.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some of the top talents of the Asian Tour first-hand in the [LIV Golf] League, especially Andy Ogletree who stepped in for Lee in DC and turned in a 62! So, I’m looking forward to my International Series debut.”
Nicknamed ‘The Postman’ for consistently delivering vital points for Team Europe in The Ryder Cup, the 47-year-old has 17 professional victories under his, often brightly coloured, belt.
Two of Poulter’s wins have come on the Asian Tour, including the 2009 Singapore Open and 2010 Hong Kong Open, the latter of which is now also among the 10 International Series events contributing to the Asian Tour schedule in 2023.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are the definition of global golfers – having played, and won throughout the world. They are beloved by English golf fans, and anyone attending International Series England is in for a very special week.
“The International Series now regularly welcomes titans of the game, with Patrick [Reed], Eugenio [Chacarra] and Abraham [Ancer] all competing alongside Ian [Poulter] and Lee [Westwood] this August, demonstrating the strength of the Asian Tour right now.”
Tickets to the International Series England are still available from SeeTickets. Prices start from £10 for adults with free admission for under-16s when entering with a paying adult.
Poulter on his way to victory at the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open at The Hong Kong Golf Club. Picture by Ian Walton/Getty Images.
The International Series England is part of an exciting ‘UK summer swing’ for the Asian Tour and is followed by the St Andrews Bay Championship – being played on the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews, 24-27 August.
Korean-American Seungsu Han claimed the jewel in the crown of Korean golf today after recording an astonishing wire-to-wire victory in the Kolon Korea Open.
On another hot and sunny day at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club he coolheadedly handled the pressure of front running from the-get-go to close with an even-par 71 for a six under par winning total and a commanding six-shot win over Korea’s Kyungnam Kang, who also carded a 71.
Korean Seungbin Choi claimed third, a shot further back, after shooting a 68 – the best round of the day, and one of only two sub 70 rounds, on the taxing Woo Jeong Hills track.
Han’s magnificent triumph also allowed him to secure one of the two spots on offer in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Kang took the other.
Any doubts that Han, who started today with a slim one-shot lead over Jaekyeong Lee from Korea, would succumb to the pressure were put to rest on the front nine when he made the turn with a five-shot lead, on seven under, ahead of Korean Junghwan Lee.
Kyungnam Kang. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
It was just the cushion he was looking for despite an up and down front nine, consisting of three birdies and two bogeys. His lead was seven at one point on the back nine with the rest of the field going backwards while he was coasting.
He averted a potential disaster on the par-four 15th after a wayward tee shot left saw his ball finish in a terrible lie – in long, thick grass. Bravely opting not to take a drop he hit an explosive recovery shot back into play, reached the green with his third and to the roar of the crowd holed a 30 footer for an astonishing par save – affirming this was most certainly his week, and the greatest of his career so far.
His lead was cut to six on the ensuing hole after a bogey and by the 18th he was five ahead, but he put the icing on the cake by holing a six-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th.
“This is such a great honour,” said Han, the 36 year old who was born in Incheon, Korea, but moved to the United States when he was 13, where he still lives, and first started to play in Asia back in 2010, enjoying most of his success in Japan.
“I was really struggling with foot pains and my throat wasn’t good either, so it was tremendously challenging. I hardly looks at the scores, maybe a few times. I didn’t look at it on purpose. It was about being mentally strong and my putting was great, I holed some long ones.
“I first started playing in Korea when I was 13, so the Korea Open means a lot to me. I think it is the best tournament in Korea.”
Remarkably he was the only player to finish under par, and for his fine effort he earned a cheque for US$222,222.
He becomes the 12th wire to wire winner of the tournament, and the seventh American to win after Ricky Fowler (2011), Edward Loar (2004), John Daly (2003), Mike Cunning (1994), Scott Hoch (1990 and 1991), and Orville Moody, who won the first three editions of the event starting in 1958.
Han’s six-shot winning margin also matched the record set by Fowler, based on records going back to 1996.
It is the biggest victory of his 14-year professional career, although his other wins were also significant: the Casio World Open in Japan in 2017, and the 2020 LG Signature Players Championship on the Korean PGA Tour.
He also enjoyed success in the amateur game, attending the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and winning the 2006 Porter Cup – a long-standing, prestigious amateur event in the United States won by some of the game’s biggest names, including Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ben Crenshaw.
Kyungnam Kang and Seungsu Han both qualified for The Open. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
While it will be the second time he has played in a Major – he made the cut in the PGA Championship in 2018 – it will be 11-time Korean Tour winner Kang’s maiden appearance.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim of Korea returned a 73 to tie for fourth on two over par with countrymen Dongmin Lee, Jaekyeong Lee and Junghwan Lee, and Australian Brendan Jones – this year’s New Zealand Open champion.
This week’s KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,075,000) event was the 10th stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
Seungsu Han continued his impressive run at the Kolon Korea Open today shooting a one-over-par 72, for a six-under-par tournament total, to maintain the lead for the third day in a row at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
The surprise front runner has a one-shot advantage over fellow Korean Jaekyeong Lee – on a hot and sunny day on the stunning but exacting Woo Jeong Hills track, strictly set up to provide the toughest of tests that has resulted in no bogey free rounds so far.
Lee carded a 70 in what was a two-horse race all day, with Australian Junseok Lee (68) and Ian Snyman from South Africa (72) the next best placed, tied for third, four back from Han.
Only six players are under par after three rounds for the KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,075,000) event, which is part of The Open Qualifying Series, and will see the leading two players tomorrow make it through to golf’s eldest Major – being played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club next month.
Jaekyeong Lee. Picture Courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
Han started the day with a three-shot lead over second-placed Lee, who put the pressure on his playing-partner Han from start to finish.
Eight pars and a birdie on eight kept Han in the driver’s seat before a double-bogey on 11 turned a few heads before he hit reset and birdied 15.
However, there was drama on the iconic par-five 18th when Han, two ahead of Lee, pulled his tee shot left into trees while Lee pushed his right and watched concerned as his ball hit the cart path and took two giant bounces forward. He found his ball but had to take a free drop.
While Han punched back into the fairway, leaving him a long third, Lee played a brave shot from a poor side hill lie that found the long fairway bunker that stretches all the way to the green.
While Han airmailed the green with his third and failed to get up and down, making a bogey, Lee made a brilliant sand save for par, after holing an eight footer.
“It was so hot out there, physically demanding!” said Korean-American Han, who has played on the Japan, Asian, Canadian and Nationwide Tours since turning professional 2009.
“It’s a shame about the 18th hole. There were a few crisis moments, but I overcame them. I’ll try to concentrate as much as I can tomorrow. It will be equally difficult tomorrow. I’ll be patient and take the hits when they come.”
Born in Incheon, Korea he moved to the United States when he was 13, where he still lives, and started playing in Asia in 2010.
His dominance so far is unexpected but the 36 year old is a proven winner, having recorded some notable victories. In 2017 he won the Casio World Open, one of Japan’s biggest events, the year he finished fifth on their Money List – helped by two runner-up placings and three third place finishes.
And in 2020 he claimed the LG Signature Players Championship, a big one on the Korean PGA Tour, while he was an amateur star at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, winning the 2006 Porter Cup – a long-standing, prestigious amateur event in the United States won by some of the game’s biggest names, including Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ben Crenshaw.
Ian Snyman. Picture Courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
Said Lee, who made four birdies and three bogeys: “I recorded a lot of birdies in the beginning but couldn’t keep that going. Had some shaky tee shots later on and found the deep rough too much. The weather was also a big distraction.
“On the 18th hole, my tee shot actually hit a tree as well, so that kept my ball in play. Golf is about luck sometimes. Just need some good energy tomorrow. It’s the last day, so I’ll do my best.”
Aged 23, and a professional since 2017, he is another of the bright new generation of Korean golfers and has tasted victory three times in Korea, in 2019, his first year on Tour, 2021, and this year, in their Matchplay competition.
Koreans Junggon Hwang and Junghwan Lee, in with 71 and 73 respectively, are joint fifth on one under.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim of Korea returned a 70 to give himself an outside chance on Sunday. He is even par for the tournament, the same as fellow Korean Mingyu Cho, whom he beat in a gripping three-hole play-off here last year.
Extra time in Kolon Korea Open is played over three holes, not sudden death, which is the same format as the Open Championship – the Major that competitors will be trying so hard to book a berth in tomorrow.
Seungsu Han continued to show no fear on day two of the Kolon Korea Open maintaining his lead after carding a two-under-par 69 at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
The little-known Korean’s seven under par total and three-shot lead make light of the scale and importance of this event and the mighty challenge that the golf course presents.
His compatriot Jaekyeong Lee is in second place following a 68, while Canada’s Richard T. Lee (67), Australian Brendan Jones (69), Koreans Junghwan Lee (69) and Jeongwoo Ham (70) and Ian Snyman from South Africa (71) are in a tie for third, four behind the leader.
The KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,075,000) event is the 10th stop of the season on the Asian Tour, the jewel in the crown of Korean golf, and part of The Open Qualifying Series. The leading two players on Sunday make it through to golf’s eldest Major – being played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club next month.
Jaekyeong Lee.
Han was joint first-round leader here last year before falling away thereafter but this time round, and no doubt enlightened by that experience, he is moving in the right direction.
He may be inexperienced at this level – this is also only the fourth time he has played this tournament – but he played with conviction and confidence today fighting back after losing the lead with a bogey on 10 with birdies on 13, 16 and 17.
“It was not easy because the course was so difficult,” said Han, who led with a 66 on day one and was in the second from last group out today.
“I can’t wait to go back and rest. The score is not so important, it’s that I played well for two days. I’m feeling a little bit of pain, but I’m trying not to worry about it. I think I’ll be fine after resting.”
The Korean has won once in Japan and Korea during a 14-year professional career, and so a win for him at the weekend would be one of the biggest upsets in the 65-year history of the event.
Birdies on 16 and 17 saw Jaekyeong Lee make his late dash to the top.
He won the Matchplay event on the Korean PGA Tour this season and today showed he is equally as strong playing strokeplay.
Brendan Jones.
The Korean made four birdies and a bogey and for the second day on the trot had the par four penultimate hole to thank for being pivotal.
“I recorded birdies on the 17th hole for two consecutive days,” he said.
“I was lucky in both rounds. In the first round, I chipped in for birdie. And today my approach ball hit the ball of my playing partner Miguel Tabuena. I wish I have luck in the third and final rounds as well!”
He is a two-time winner in Korea and is both focused and philosophical about the weekend.
“Victory is determined by heaven,” he said.
“The goal is to finish number one on the Korean Tour this season and earn a place in the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School Final. And I want to go to The Open championship, too. I have been there as a spectator thanks to The KJ Choi Foundation once. I’ll be a player this time. I will be patient tomorrow.”
Only 12 players finished under par today for two rounds – indicating the course’s level of difficulty and demanding set up.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim returned a 69 yesterday but will be disappointed with his 74 today which put him at one over, but still in the hunt.
Only seven players have successful defended this tournament since its inauguration in 1958, they are: Koreans Changsang Han, Yoonsoo Choi, Sangmoon Bae, and Kyounghoon Lee, Chinese-Taipei’s Chen Tze-ming and Americans Scott Hoch and Orville Moody, who had the distinction of winning the first three editions.
Chanmin Jung recorded a 75 to finish on six over and miss the cut by one – a disappointing week for one of Korean golf’s biggest hitters, who hit the headlines earlier this year following a shock win in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
Jeongwoo Ham.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent had an unusually poor week adding a 73 to his first round 80 to miss the cut. Last year’s winner of the International Series Order of Merit showed his class on the last hole though, making an eagle on the par five, for a touch of inspiration ahead of his trip to LIV Golf Valderrama next week.
All pictures courtesy of KGA Tournament Committee.
Recent Comments