'19-year-old' Kim Min-gyu "Regaining the lead"..."Adding 11 points~"

On the Third Day of KPGA Open, Jeong Seung-hwan Ranks 2nd by 1 Point, Kim Joo-hyung Slips to Tied 42nd

Kim Min-gyu is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the third day of the KPGA Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Kim Min-gyu (19, CJ Logistics) has reclaimed the lead.

On the 18th, at Taean Solago Golf Club in Chungnam (par 72, 7,263 yards), the third day of the KPGA Korean Tour 2020 Season Round 3 KPGA Open (total prize money 500 million KRW) ended with Kim adding 11 points to rise to the top with 38 points, a 1-point lead. The tournament uses a unique format called 'Modified Stableford' to determine the winner. Points are awarded as follows: albatross 8 points, eagle 5 points, birdie 2 points, par 0 points, bogey -1 point, and double bogey or worse -3 points. This system encourages aggressive play.

Starting the day in second place, 3 points behind, Kim Min-gyu recorded six birdies and one bogey, including three consecutive birdies from holes 5 to 7. At just 14 years old, he was selected as the youngest national team member in 2015, and in 2017, he made waves by winning twice on the European EuroPro (third-tier) Tour. In 2018, he advanced to the European Challenge (second-tier) Tour and became the youngest winner at the Czech Challenge (17 years and 64 days). He returned to Korea after the tour was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, Kim finished as runner-up after qualifying at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open, and this time he earned a ticket as a 'Top 5' finisher from the previous tournament. Following Kim Joo-hyung (18, CJ Logistics)'s victory at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open, another 'teenage storm' is anticipated. Kim Min-gyu, who said, "My tee shots were good today," added confidently, "My experience playing in Europe is a big help. The first day of the tournament was my father's birthday, and I want to give him the winner's trophy as a gift."

Jeong Seung-hwan (36), who scored 17 points the previous day, added only 7 points with five birdies and three bogeys, dropping to second place with 37 points. Lee Jun-seok (Australia) is third with 36 points, Park Sang-hyun (37, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is fourth with 35 points, and Yoon Se-jun (USA) is fifth with 34 points. The 'Top 5' are separated by just one point, promising a fierce competition for the championship on the final day. Last year's 'Order of Merit' winner Moon Kyung-jun (37) is seventh with 32 points, and 'Money List' leader Lee Soo-min (27) is tied for ninth with 30 points. Kim Joo-hyung is tied for 42nd with 21 points, making a 'second consecutive win' challenging.

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