Kim Bi-o "Passes APGA Q-School"... What About the Domestic Stage?

2020 Season Q-School Final Stage Round 5 Joint 5th Place, Smith 'Top'

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Kim Bi-o (30, photo) has secured a seed on the Asian (APGA) Tour.

On the 23rd, at the final 5th round of the Qualifying (Q) School Final Stage held at Hua Hin Lakeview Resort & Golf Club in Thailand (par 71, 6,897 yards), he shot 3 under par to finish tied for 5th place (11 under par, 344 strokes). The stage grants seeds to the top 35 players this year. Benjamin Smith (Zimbabwe) topped the leaderboard (15 under par, 340 strokes), and Korea had eight players in the 'top 35', including Kim Hong-taek (27), who tied for 12th place (9 under par, 346 strokes).

Kim Bi-o had especially taken a stand after receiving a suspension from the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) due to the 'middle finger scandal' on the final day of the Korean Tour DGB Financial Group Volvik Daegu Gyeongbuk Open last September. At the 16th hole (par 4) tee shot, he flinched when he heard the shutter sound of a mobile phone camera, mishitting the swing and topping the ball, then provoked anger by raising his middle finger toward the gallery. He was initially given a three-year heavy penalty, which was later reduced to one year.

Kim Bi-o has now paved a way forward. The APGA Tour held the Hong Kong Open and Singapore Open last month, and the New Zealand Open will follow on the 27th. Among the total 13 tournaments, it is interesting that three Korean events are included: the Maeil Business Newspaper Open in May, the Kolon Korean Open in June, and the Shinhan Donghae Open in September. Whether Kim Bi-o will participate in domestic tournaments remains uncertain. The KPGA stated, "We will confirm eligibility and then consult with the APGA Tour."

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