Jang Igeun "Good Start with 4 Under Par~"... Moon Kyungjun at 2 Under Par

Hong Kong Open Day 1: Tied 3rd, Omsby and Otsuki Share Lead by 1 Stroke, Kim Juhyung Chases from Tied 6th

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Jang I-geun (27, Shinhan Financial Group, photo) made an early sprint.

On the first day of the Asian (APGA) Tour Hong Kong Open (total prize money $1 million), which opened on the 9th at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, Hong Kong (par 70, 6710 yards), he posted 4-under-par to tie for 3rd place. This tournament is the stage co-hosted annually in November with the European Tour. However, last year it was indefinitely postponed due to intensified anti-government protests in Hong Kong and safety concerns, eventually crossing over into the next year. This time, the European Tour is holding the South African Open during the same period, so the APGA Tour is proceeding alone.

Jang I-geun was the 2017 'National Title' Korean Open champion. On the final day, after a 'three-hole playoff' with Kim Ki-hwan (29, Volvik), he achieved his first Korean Tour victory, drawing even more spotlight. In the September Tee-Up & G-Swing Mega Open, he made big news by setting a new record for the lowest 72-hole score and most under-par (28-under-par 260 strokes). Last year, he moved between the APGA Tour and others, winning the Yangde Tournament Players in September and securing a European Tour card this year.

On this day, he combined 5 birdies and 1 bogey. Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), he gained momentum with birdies at the 12th hole (par 3) and 17th hole (par 4), then swept consecutive birdies at the 4th and 5th holes on the back nine. He took the lead with a birdie at the 7th hole (par 4), but a bogey at the final 8th hole (par 3) was a setback, which is rather regrettable. His 'pinpoint iron shots' with a green hit rate of 77.78% stood out. He is operating 27 'stingy putts,' raising expectations.

Wade Ormsby (Australia) and Otsuki Tomoharu (Japan) are tied for the lead at 1 stroke ahead (5-under-par 65). From Korea, Panasonic Open champion Kim Joo-hyung (18, CJ Logistics) is following in joint 6th place (3-under-par 67). He caused a sensation by winning the APGA Tour at just 17 years old last November. Recently, he signed a sponsorship contract with CJ Logistics, adding strong support. He expressed his ambition, saying, "I will advance to the PGA Tour within the next three years."

'Korean Tour Player of the Year' Moon Kyung-jun (38) stayed tied for 12th place (2-under-par 68) along with last year's APGA Tour money leader Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand). Although he made 6 birdies, he suffered a fatal blow with 2 bogeys and a double bogey at the 10th hole. As he prepares to enter the European Tour, adjusting his competitive shot sense is urgent. World ranking 19th Shane Lowry (Ireland) finished tied for 20th (1-under-par 69).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.