In-form Kim relishing Open Championship opportunity
Buoyed by a third-place finish at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, Korean prodigy Joohyung Kim is aiming to upstage his more illustrious compatriots for the second Major championship in succession.
The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion made waves last month when he marked his maiden appearance in the US Open by finishing as the leading Korean player in 23rd place.
Having propelled to a career-high 39th place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) following his strong performance at The Renaissance Club on Sunday, Kim is setting his sights on emulating that performance at The 150th Open this week.
Lining up at St Andrews against the best players in the world is especially poignant for the 20-year-old who was denied the opportunity of making his Open debut last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kim said: “I had the opportunity to play in The Open last year but could not because of Covid. So, it means so much to have a second chance.
“My first Open is going to be a special one. For sure, I’m not going to miss this one!”
At the start of 2020, Kim finished fourth in the SMBC Singapore Open, part of The Open Qualifying Series, securing his place in The Open that year.
However, with the worldwide spread of Covid, The Open was cancelled in 2020. Although Kim’s exemption was extended to the 2021 event, travel restrictions meant he was unable to take up the chance that he yearned.
The disappointment of missing out in such unfortunate and unprecedented circumstances only served to strengthen Kim’s resolve to qualify for the 2022 edition.
With a typically gutsy performance at Sentosa Golf Club in January this year, Kim ended joint runner-up at the SMBC Singapore Open – a result that not only guaranteed him a ticket to St Andrews but also ensured him of the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown.
His solid form has continued in the first half of 2022 with four top-five finishes on the Asian Tour, lifting him into third place in the current Order of Merit standings.
Having broken into top-50 on the OWGR which will earn him an invite to Augusta National for the 2023 Masters Tournament if he stays inside the mark at the end of the year, Kim’s attention is just focused on tackling the Old Course at St Andrews now.
Kim said: “It’s The Open. It’s a Major championship and for me to qualify for it again, that was a goal. I’m so happy to be here.”
Ends.
Branden Grace continued the South African domination in LIV Invitational Series, winning the Portland tournament by two shots following the low round of the tournament – a seven-under par 65.
Birdies on 15th, 16th and 17th holes gave him a three-shot cushion coming up the difficult par-4 18th hole of Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. However, a solid par ensured his win at 13-under par and the winning cheque of $4 million as he finished two shots of LIV debutant Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, who sank a 45-footer birdie putt on the final hole to reduce the margin of victory.
The inaugural LIV event in London was won by Grace’s compatriot Charl Schwartzel.
Grace’s team, the all-South African quartet Stinger, could not replicate the win at Centurion Club and finished second. The team championship was bagged by the Dustin Johnson-led 4 Aces GC, which benefited from a sparkling round of five-under par 67 by Patrick Reed.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 02: Team Captain Dustin Johnson (2nd R), Pat Perez (L), Talor Gooch (2nd L) and Patrick Reed (R) of 4 Aces GC celebrate with the team championship trophy during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jamie Squire/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Reed’s round included a late eagle on the 17th hole and a birdie on the 18th. A lip-out denied him a birdie on his closing hole, the first of the course, which could have edged him a shot ahead of Johnson in solo third place. Both the Americans, past Masters champions, were tied third at 9-under par.
Another South African, Justin Harding, was the best-placed member of the Asian Tour, tied for the eighth place at two-under par after being inside the top-5 for most part of the final round. A double bogey on the 15th followed by a bogey on the 16th saw him slip late in the round.
“I played a really good round of golf and hit just two bad shots. And that penalised me with a double and a bogey. It’s what it is. I am happy with the way I am playing, but this could have been so much better,” said Harding, who finished second in the 2018 Order of Merit.
Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim did not have the best final round, but despite a three-over 75, he finished on tied 11th place with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 02: (L-R) Team Captain Brooks Koepka of Smash GC and Justin Harding of Crushers GC look on from the fourth tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
“I did not hit the ball as well as I did yesterday and I also thought that luck was not on my side. Every time it was a close call, I always ended up on the wrong side,” said Kim, who was tied 43rd in London.
Starting the round two shots behind his playing partners Ortiz and Johnson in the leading group, the 34-year-old Branden Grace turned it around with a fantastic birdie on the toughest hole of the golf course – the long, par-4 13th. A perfect fade with the driver was followed by a superb four-iron to 15 feet, and he made the putt.
“I thought I played pretty flawless. And that birdie on the 13th was the key,” said Branden Grace, who had also closed with a 65 in London to finish third in the inaugural LIV event.
“When I needed to do something special, I managed managed to pull it out. It was just a great day, and the crowd was fantastic. I have never felt like this before with everyone shouting ‘Grace, Grace’. I guess this is how Tiger (Woods) feels when he plays. Everybody here is having a blast.”
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 02: Sihwan Kim of Iron Heads GC watches his shot on the fourth tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
With three birdies in his first four holes, Mexico’s 31-year-old Ortiz had opened a four-shot lead at the stage, but he cooled down after that and could only add another birdie on the 18th hole.
Branden Grace was hitting the ball well from the beginning of his round, but every aspect of his game was spot on in the second nine. And when he got into trouble, like on the 16th hole with his second shot, he managed to chip in for another birdie from an improbable position with hardly any green to use.
World No17 Johnson, the highest-ranked player in the field, struggled early in his round and finished with a one-under par 71 round.
The LIV Invitational Golf moves next to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, for the third event from July 29-31. England’s Paul Casey was announced as LIV’s latest signing and he is expected to become a part of captain Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers team there.
Dustin Johnson, the highest-ranked player in the field, put on a masterclass for the first 12 holes and held on to a share of the lead despite a slight wobble coming in on the second day of the LIV Golf Invitational series in Portland.
The world No17 American was six-under for the day through the first 12 holes with the help of seven birdies, but two three-putt bogeys coming in gave Carlos Ortiz an opportunity to catch him. The 2020 Masters champion shot a four-under par 68 and moved to eight-under par with one round to go.
Mexico’s 31-year-old Ortiz, playing his first LIV Golf tournament, birdied the last for a three-under par 69 round to match Johnson as a large crowd turned up to enjoy their battle against a demanding Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
South Africa’s Branden Grace was two shots behind the leaders after a second straight round of three-under par 69, while his compatriot and multiple time Asian Tour winner Justin Harding overcame the frustrations of a late triple bogey on the opening day to shoot the best round of the day – a five-under par 67 – and claim sole possession of fourth place at five-under par total.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 01: A general view is seen as Carlos Ortiz of Fireballs GC plays his shot from the 18th tee during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 01, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images )
Another Asian Tour star who enjoyed a very fruitful day was the current Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim. The American closed with two straight birdies for a 68 that elevated him to tied fifth place at four-under par total and four shots behind the leaders.
With two best scores of the four counting towards the team championship for the first two days (and three best scores counting in the final round), the Johnson-led Four Aces were comfortably ahead by four shots over the all-South African team of Stingers. With Patrick Reed also shooting a 68, Four Aces reached 15-under par through the first two rounds, while Stingers, who won the inaugural LIV Invitational in London, were at 11-under par.
“I did not have the best start to the tournament and had to miss the ProAm because I had to head over to Canada to sort some visa issues. Then, to play so well yesterday before making some silly mistakes for a triple bogey late in the round was very frustrating,” said Harding, winner of the Royal Cup and Bank BRI Indonesian Open in 2018.
“Very happy with how I played. I played solidly in the beginning and then I went on a walkabout for a while, but managed not to throw too many away and then I had a good enough finish. So made up for what was a frustrating finish yesterday.
“Made an eagle on the first hole (his third of the day), where I chipped in from the greenside rough with a three-wood. That was a bit of a bonus.”
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 01: Sihwan Kim of Iron Heads GC plays his shot from the seventh tee during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 01, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Kim, winner of two Asian Tour titles this year, said it was one of his best ball-striking rounds in several weeks as he made six birdies and two bogeys playing alongside Harding.
“It was a good round and we fed off each other.
“To make the two birdies after a bogey on the 13th, which is such a long haul and very tight around the greens, was a very nice way to finish,” said Kim.
“I was much better off the tee today compared to yesterday, and my irons were really good. I almost holed out from about 30 yards or so on the first for eagle.
“With DJ and Carlos four shots away, I think we have a chance. On this golf course, you do get chances if you are hitting the ball well.”
Johnson felt the first 12 holes at Pumpkin Ridge on Friday was probably the best golf he played in a stretch this year.
“I felt like I am playing really well right now. Obviously, I put it together for the first 12 holes. And then I hit some nice shots on the 13th and 14th, but ended up three-putting both. But yeah…I played really solid today,” said the former world No1.
Ortiz said he was just trying to keep up with Johnson.
“I was trying to do the same thing he was doing. He was playing great. I don’t know why, but if someone is playing good in your group, it becomes easier for others to catch up. So, we were rooting for DJ. Just keep going so that we can also keep going,” said the world No119.
Carlos Ortiz likes fast starts. And he seems intent on doing the same at the LIV Golf Invitational series.
The 31-year-old Mexican, who earned battleground promotion into the PGA Tour after winning three events in his first season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2014, showed he meant business at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club as he stormed to an early lead in his debut LIV Golf appearance.
Ortiz started with two birdies in his first two holes, and then proceeded to make five birdies and a couple of bogeys in a round of five-under par 67 in tough conditions. He led by one shot over American Dustin Johnson. The former world No1 hit his opening tee shot into water and began with a bogey, before cleaning up his act and making five birdies.
South Africa’s Branden Grace and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara could have joined Johnson at 4-under par, but late bogeys dropped them to tied third place alongside another LIV Golf debutant, Pat Perez.
Thanks to Johnson and Perez, the Four Aces led the Team Championship by two shots at seven-under par. The champion team in London, the all-South African squad of Stinger, were second at -5.
Aussie Wade Ormsby was the best placed Asian Tour member, tied sixth at two-under par alongside four-time major champion Brooks Koepka and South African Hennie du Plessis.
“I hit a few of them close on my first nine, but that is the difficult half of the golf course. I just played steady and made a few birdies coming in,” said Ormsby, captain of the all-Australian Punches team this week and winner of three titles on the Asian Tour, including two Hong Kong Opens.
“It is a really difficult golf course with small greens and playing over 7,600 yards. So, I’d say that was a decent start. And I love the team aspect. It is good to have three Aussies by my side.”
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JUNE 29: Team Captain Wade Ormsby of Punch GC talks with his caddie on the tenth green during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on June 29, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf/via Getty Images )
The current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim scripted a fantastic comeback after being three-over par for his first nine holes. An eagle, which he called “lucky” lifted his round and a closing birdie ensured he finished at tied 14th place.
“I was pretty pleased with that round,” said Kim, who said he was fighting a two-way miss the last few weeks. “I did not start that well and was struggling with my hitting again. It wasn’t as much a two-way miss, but I did not like how left I was hitting it.
“But I finally got it back together a bit, thanks to a lucky shot on the 17th. I actually chunked a 2-iron, which dropped 30 yards short and rolled to the green and I made the putt. And then, on the last hole, I hit a sand wedge to about four feet from 109 yards and made the putt. That birdie on the last was a nice way to finish.”
Leader Ortiz said even though he started with two birdies, he was feeling nervous about his LIV debut.
“We were actually talking on the putting green this morning that we have played so many tournaments, but this was the most nervous I was feeling,” said the world No119.
“I was brought in by Sergio to be part of his team here and I felt that I had a responsibility to perform for the team. That team aspect makes a huge difference. I love it. It makes me try harder.”
The $25 million tournament finishes on Saturday.
Even towards the end of 2021, when he was winning titles by the dozen on the Big Easy Tour in almost Tiger Woods-like fashion, Ian Snyman’s wildest dreams did not include him rubbing shoulders with his South African heroes Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and playing for US$25 million purses.
So, the first feeling he has as he gets ready for his second LIV Golf Invitational Series event this week, is of gratitude.
“No, I did not expect all this to happen to me so quickly, to be honest. My game was ready for the Asian Tour. But after getting that third place in the first International Series event in Thailand, I was like, ‘Okay, we can do this. We can compete’. It’s just been good, solid, consistent golf,” said the 25-year-old from Bellville, now ranked 386th in the world.
“And I was telling my parents that everybody talks about luck in golf. And, the fact that I played well, in both the International Series, it’s just luck. It’s a blessing. I don’t know what else to call that my things aligned so well that I did well in the right events to get into these events. I’m just grateful.”
Snyman’s choice of words like ‘lucky’ and ‘grateful’ seem appropriate. He secured his card for the 2020 Asian Tour season through the Qualifying School, and before he could tee up for any event, the COVID pandemic hit the globe, shutting down the Asian Tour for nearly 20 months.
Ian Snyman (fourth from left) was one of the six qualifiers for the LIV Golf Invitational London from the International Series England. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“With travel not possible, the Big Easy tour was the only place I could go play in South Africa. I didn’t have any other options. There was no Tour. I didn’t get in much on the Sunshine Tour either. I got an invite to the Sunshine Tour after my third win and I finished in ninth place, which was like a nice boost. It gave me the confidence that I can do this. And then the Asian Tour was nice to give me an invite to two tournaments that kickstarted their schedule late last year,” said Snyman.
“And now I am playing in events like this. Honestly, the first event, I was kind of shocked at how relaxed I was and it’s the same thing here in Portland. I feel like with music playing and the relaxed atmosphere, I’m just excited to be here and I just want to go out and play golf. There is no pressure.
“With all that has happened, going to the Asian Tour was the best decision I could have made. I am still pinching myself. At the last event, I wrote in my Instagram post that whenever I get worked up if I hit a bad shot or something, I’m like, ‘You are lucky to be here. Just be happy you’re here’. I think that attitude has helped.”
A product of the Ernie Els Foundation (no wonder The Big Easy is his childhood idol!), he was able to meet and interact with players like Oosthuizen and Schwartzel a couple of times in his growing years.
“The Els Foundation took me in when I was in Grade 9, and that was huge for me. I do not come from the most well-to-do family, so that little financial support really made all the difference to my golf,” Snyman added.
“If you look at Louis, Schwartzel, Branden (Grace)…all these guys playing this week, they all came through Ernie’s foundation. I am very thankful to him, and he is my ultimate hero.
“Then there are Justin Harding and Shaun Norris. They are two guys who got their success in Asia and that strengthened my resolve to go there when I played the Q-School. I have actually told and thanked them for showing me the way. And both of them are here in the LIV Golf Series.
“It’s pretty special getting to know these guys. I look up to them and I am part of the group now. We’re all having dinner together, talking in Afrikaans. It’s cool to have the South African caddies around. It’s just one big family.”
The three-day, 54-hole tournament features 13 Asian Tour members, including Japan’s world No73 Yuki Inamori and Zimbabwe’s world No94 Scott Vincent, who won the International Series England last month. Players will compete for a total purse of US$25 million, with the individual winner getting a cheque of US$4 million. In the team competition, the winning members bank $750,000 each.
The Portland field has nine of the last 21 major winners and four former world No1 players. Among the star attractions are Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson.
The 48-man field will play across 12 teams of four players each.
Acutely aware that he cannot take his spot in the lucrative LIV Golf Invitational Series for granted, Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai is intent on making his trip to Portland count.
The prodigiously-talented 23 year old, who won his first professional title on the All Thailand Golf Tour at the age of 14, will be making his second appearance in the groundbreaking new series of events, having finished a creditable tied 25th place in the inaugural tournament at Centurion Club.
Phachara, who finally secured his maiden Asian Tour victory at the end 2021 when he claimed the Laguna Phuket Championship, looked good for a top-10 finish at the LIV Golf Invitational London after opening with rounds of 67 and 72. However, he faded out of contention on the final day with a 78.
The smile never fades from his face though and the world No139, who also finished runner-up earlier this year at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge and the inaugural International Series Thailand, said he was ready for a new challenge at the fabled Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 07: Richard Bland of England, Peter Uihlein of The United States, Greg Norman, Phachara Khongwatmai and Travis Smyth of Australia pose for a photograph (At the conclusion of the draft, Team Captains Kevin Na and Peter Uihlein decided to make LIV Golf’s first trade, swapping Richard Bland and Hideto Tanihara) following the LIV Golf Invitational – London Draft on June 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
“I have really enjoyed playing the LIV tournament at Centurion Golf Club, and I really want to be a part of each one of them. However, I cannot take anything for granted. I know I can play the next tournament in Bedminster (July 29-31), but following that, everything is dependent on how I play in the International Series, or in the LIV events here in Portland and New Jersey,” he said.
“It’s important for us to be playing at this level, not just for the good purses, but also because we are getting the chance to play with some of the biggest names in the game.
“So, this week is going to be very important for me. I want to play good golf and make sure that I do not have to depend on performing well in the next International Series event to secure my spot.”
The past few weeks haven’t been the best for Phachara, who missed the cut at the Kolon Korea Open and was tied 49th in the International Series England.
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – JUNE 10: Phachara Khongwatmai of Crushers GC tees off on the fourth hole during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – London at The Centurion Club on June 10, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
“I missed the cut last week in Korea and I have worked on the things that were not good with my game. My driving is a strong point of my game, and I did not hit the ball too well. But I am feeling much better this week. I think if we can find the fairways on this golf course, it will be a big advantage. The greens are small and tricky,” added the Thai star.
Phachara is part of the Iron Heads team, which features an all-Asian Tour members team captained by American Kevin Na, his compatriot Sadom Kaewkanjana and American Sihwan Kim – leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“It’s a great group. I have come to know Kevin over the past couple of years and he is a good guy. Sadom and Sihwan are very close friends of mine. I think if we can play to our potential, we have a good chance,” he added.
The three-day, 54-hole tournament features 13 Asian Tour members, including Japan’s world No 73 Yuki Inamori and Zimbabwe’s world No9 4 Scott Vincent, who won the International Series England last month.
The Portland field has nine of the last 21 major winners and four former world No1 players. Among the star attractions are Americans Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson.
Players will compete for a total purse of US$25 million, with the individual winner getting a cheque of US$4 million. In the team competition, the winning members each bank US$750,000.
The 48-man field in Portland will play across 12 teams of four players each.
Japan’s Yuki Inamori, winner of last week’s Japan Players Championship by Sato Shokuhin on the Japan Golf Tour Organization, leads a strong 13-member Asian Tour contingent at this week’s star-studded US$25 million LIV Golf Invitational Portland.
The three-day, 54-hole tournament – second in the LIV Golf Series following the successful launch last month at Centurion Club near London – will be played at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club from Thursday.
Inamori, the two-time Japan Open champion, is ranked 73rd in the Official World Golf Ranking and is enjoying a successful 2022, having won The Crowns earlier in the season.
Another two-time winner this season, Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, will be trying to add a first LIV Golf title to his growing trophy cabinet after winning the Gate Way to the Open Mizuno Open in Japan followed by the International Series England in back-to-back starts last month.
NEWCASTLE- ENGLAND- Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe pictured with the winner’s trophy on Sunday, June 5, 2022, during the final round of the International Series England at Staley Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Hunting Course, an Asian Tour US$ 2 million event. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour
A third Asian Tour member competing who is also inside the top-100 of the world ranking is Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita. The 30 year old from Nara is yet to win in 2022, but was tied eighth against a strong field in the Saudi International, the season-opening event on the Asian Tour and finished tied 12th in LIV Golf Invitational London.
The Portland field will showcase nine of the last 21 major winners, four former world number one players and nearly half of its competitors are currently ranked in the top 100. The global field represents 12 different countries and a combined 20 major titles.
Players will compete for a total purse of US$25 million, with the individual winner getting a cheque of $4 million. There is also a team championship where the winning team members bank US$750,000 each.
American Sihwan Kim, who is leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit and is second in the International Series Order of Merit after winning the Bangkok leg, will try to better his tied 43rd place finish in London.
South African stars made a clean sweep of the podium spots in London and will be out in force again. Charl Schwartzel from South Africa won the individual title and was part of the winning team. Trying to replicate the success of the 2011 Masters champion will be Asian Tour members and his compatriots Justin Harding and the highly-regarded Ian Snyman – winner of five titles on the Big Easy Tour in 2021.
Among other Asian Tour members in the field are three from Thailand – Sadom Kaewkanjana, Phachara Khongwatmai and Itthipat Buranatanyarat, and two from Australia: Travis Smyth and Wade Ormsby.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JUNE 27: Brooks Koepka hits his tee shot on the 13th hole during a practice round prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on June 27, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
The tournament features several players inside the top 50 of the world ranking, including Americans Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau and Mexican Abraham Ancer, who have joined the LIV Golf Series with the Portland tournament. Former Masters winner Dustin Johnson is the highest-ranked player in the field this week at No17.
The 48-man field in Portland will play across 12 teams of four players each.
In a nail-biting finish to the Kolon Korea Open, rising young Korean star Minkyu Kim defeated his compatriot Mingyu Cho in a three-hole play-off at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Kim, aged 21, holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the imposing par-five 18th to finish the play-off, which was played over holes 16, 17 and 18, on even par, while Cho made bogey to end one over. It was a stunning turnaround as Kim started with a par and a bogey verses the two pars his opponent had made to put him in control.
It is the first time that Kim – who hit global headlines in 2018 when he claimed the D+D Real Czech Challenge on the Challenge Tour, becoming its youngest-ever winner at 17 years, 64 days – has won in Korea and his success was rewarded with an invite to The Open at St. Andrews in July. Cho’s consolation prize is also a place in the elite field for the game’s oldest Major.
Minkyu Kim won with a brilliant birdie on 18. Picture by Kolon Korea Open.
Kim began the day three behind the overnight leaders Cho and Korean Taehoon Ok but steadily worked his way through the field with a two-under-par 69 to set the clubhouse lead on four under, which included a bogey on the last.
Korean Hyungjoon Lee, playing in the penultimate group, look set to surpass that total and most likely win the tournament when he was five under playing 18 but added to the drama of the day when he finished with a double bogey after finding out of bounds.
Thirty-three-year-old Cho then had a chance to win the 64th staging of Korea’s national Open in normal time with a 20-foot birdie putt on 18 but his attempt narrowly missed, and he signed for a 72 to send the event in over time.
“I can’t believe I have actually won!” said Kim, who has posted seven top-10s in his last 10 starts.
“I have come close to winning before and I wondered if I would ever win. I felt good on the back nine and started to feel I had a chance. Straight after I won, I thought of my father; I have to thank him for this. My golf is just beginning.”
On the final play-off hole Cho hit an errant drive which forced him to punch his ball back into play while Kim assumed control after hitting his second over three green. Cho’s third found the edge of the green from where he played a poor chip to 25 feet. He proceeded to miss that while Kim got up and down for the most important birdie of his career.
Said Cho: “[Winning] is a difficult task. I think it was a good day, and I will move on. I am now planning to go and play in Europe for the first time, where, I am sure, I’ll learn a lot.”
Mingyu Cho had a chance to win in normal time with a 20 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole. Picture by Kolon Korea Open.
American Jarin Todd closed with a 70 to tie for third with Lee, who returned a 71, one shot short of the play-off.
“I made a few mistakes on the back nine,” said Todd.
“Those holes are playing pretty tough. Missed on the wrong spots, paid for it. But yeah, I would have taken a top-five finish at the start of the week just because this course doesn’t really suit me. I’m happy with the result. Good birdie on the last. I hit a good drive and a really good second shot. Kind of unlucky to have it fly that far but made a good chip and putt for birdie there. I didn’t really look at the leaderboards out there. I was thinking the winning score might be seven or eight under. But looking at it now kind of hurts. This is how it goes but I am getting there.”
The Asian Tour takes a short summer break now before restarting at the US$500,000 Mandiri Indonesia Open, which will be played at Pondok Indah Golf Course from August 4-7.
It will mark the start of an exciting second half of the season which will see a full schedule of tournaments played through until January 2023.
Both players earned a place in The Open, at St. Andrews in July. Picture by Kolon Korea Open.
Taehoon Ok continued his rise up the leaderboard at the Kolon Korea Open at Woo Jeong Hills on Saturday, posting a one-under-par score of 70 to share top spot with a charging Mingyu Cho on five under.
Ok, a 2020 Qualifying School graduate, got off to a difficult start in the KRW1.35 billion event, posting two bogeys in the first six holes before getting his game under control. A run of three birdies in four holes brought him back under par for the day but he was unable to improve on his score.
Conditions weren’t easy, as he explained after his round. “It was very windy. The course was tricky. It was hard. I didn’t feel good with the bogey on the first hole even though I subsequently made a birdie on a more difficult hole. I was nervous because the shot didn’t go well. Your short game needs to be good here,” he added.
Ok, who finished fifth in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last month, will be hoping to keep his emotions in check for the final round as he bids to secure his first Asian Tour win.
“I want to win, but I won’t think about winning tomorrow. I think the trophy will follow if I have a good result,” he said.
Mingyu Cho, a two-time winner on the Japan Tour, recovered from an opening bogey to post a four-under-par score of 67, lofting him from his overnight position of 10th into a share of the lead in the 64th edition of the event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korea Golf Association.
Cho, who finished second at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, played a conservative round to make the move into the combined lead, and potentially a spot at The 150th Open at St Andrews.
“The aim was not to shoot over par and I did it comfortably today. It was hot out there. Pins were tricky and difficult. I just played shot by shot,” said 33-year-old Cho.
“I need to stay focused and stick to the game plan tomorrow. Final round, I don’t think it’s a good position to be in but anything is possible. I will do my best tomorrow,” he added.
“Winning is going to be tough as Woo Jeong Hills is a very difficult course. If I play aggressively, I might not be able to score but I will leave it to fate. It’s my dream to win in Korea and to win the national open. It will be nice to stay on the winner’s record after I retire.”
Defending champion Junseok Lee, who posted scores of one-over-par on the first two days, made a bid for the lead with the day’s low score of 66. The Australian pro, who won on the local Korean tour last week, could have gone even lower if it not for two dropped shots on the par three holes 7 and 16.
Six players have achieved the feat of back-to-back wins at the Kolon Korea Open – the last being Kyounghoon Lee who won in 2015 and 2016 – and Lee will be looking to make it seven tomorrow. If successfully it would also be his first Asian Tour win, as the 2021 Kolon Korea Open was only open to local players due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Sarit Suwannarut, fortunate bounce led to an eagle and lowest nine hole score of the week. File photo by Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut began with an awkward start, posting two bogeys and two birdies on his front nine, before he made a hole-out eagle with some assistance on the par 4 12th. Two subsequent birdies netted him the week’s lowest nine hole scores of 31 and a share of third place.
Explained Suwannarut: “I hit a driver on 12 and it actually hit one of the volunteers. I told her to move before hitting the tee shot but she still stayed in front of the green. Then I hit a good drive right at the flag and it hit her. Luckily it took a bounce before hitting her, she’s alright.
“The ball then landed in front of the green and I chipped it in for eagle! (Got to make it for the volunteer!) I gave her the ball and signed a glove for her after that,” he laughed.
“I drove the ball really well today, hit every green and had a 10-footer on 15 and a tap-in on 18 for birdies,” he added.
Hyungjoon Lee, who started the day on three under, started with a birdie on his first hole but was unable to improve on his score, a bogey on his last hole dropping him back into a share of third with an even par round of 71. Junghwan Lee, also in fifth place overnight, was in a similar position and an even par round today also left him sharing third place.
Minkyu Kim and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong posted a pair of 68s to move up the leaderboard and grab a share of seventh place, together with Jarin Todd of the USA and Taehee Lee, who were moving in the opposite direction with dual scores of 73.
The leading two players finishing in the top 8 and ties, and who are not otherwise exempt, will gain a spot in The 150th Open at St Andrews from 10-17 July 2022. The winner of the Kolon Korea Open will take home KRW 450,000,000, which is around US$349,000.
Recent Comments