'New Groom' Lee Soo-min's Comeback Cheer "The Glory of Victory Belongs to My Wife"

KPGA Open Final Day: 'Winning Birdie' on Second Playoff Hole, Kim Min-gyu and Kim Han-byeol Tied for 2nd, Kim Joo-hyung 40th

Lee Soo-min is cheering after making the 'winning birdie' on the second hole of the playoff on the final day of the KPGA Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Newlywed' Lee Soo-min (27, Srixon) achieved a thrilling come-from-behind victory.

On the 19th, at Solago Golf Club in Taean, Chungnam (par 72, 7,263 yards), the final day of the KPGA Korean Tour 2020 Season Round 3 KPGA Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), Lee scored a remarkable 20 points to tie with Kim Min-gyu (19, CJ Logistics) and Kim Han-byul (24, Golfzon) at 50 points, then clinched the 'winning birdie' on the second hole of the playoff at the 18th hole (par 4). This marks his fourth career win (including one as an amateur) after nine months since the Hyundai Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational last October, with a winner's prize of 100 million KRW.

The tournament uses a unique format called 'Modified Stableford' to determine the winner. To encourage aggressive play, 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. Lee Soo-min started tied for 9th place, 8 points behind, and impressively collected 10 birdies without any bogeys. In the first playoff hole, he made a birdie but could not break the tie with Kim Min-gyu, then succeeded with a 3-meter birdie on the second playoff hole.

Lee Soo-min first made waves by winning the Gunsan CC Open as an amateur in 2013. As a professional in 2015, he also won this tournament, achieving the rare feat of winning as both an amateur and a professional. After winning the 2016 European Tour Shenzhen International, he moved to Europe but failed to make a significant impact and returned to the domestic circuit. Last year, he collected a domestic victory trophy after four years at the Choi Kyung-ju Invitational.

Lee Soo-min is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the KPGA Open in a playoff on the final day. Photo by KPGA

In 15 tournaments, including one win, he entered the 'Top 10' seven times and claimed his first prize money title with 469.95 million KRW. This victory wiped away the disappointment of a joint 17th place at the season opener Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open and missing the cut at last week's KPGA Gunsan CC Open. "I gave my best on every shot and got good results," he cheered. "My putting came alive, which led to the win." He registered his marriage this year with his girlfriend of four years, Choi Ji-yeon (30).

Lee Soo-min, who said his wife "makes me feel at ease," said, "We planned to have a wedding ceremony, but due to COVID-19, we registered our marriage first." He smiled brightly, saying, "I want to dedicate this victory to my wife." During the off-season, he focused on physical training. His distance increased, and his accuracy improved. He plans to enlist in the military between January and February next year. "I won't be satisfied just because I won," he said. "There is a two-week break until the KPGA Championship, and I will work hard to improve."

Kim Min-gyu's 'teenage whirlwind' ended in a tie for second place. Missing a 2-meter eagle putt on the 17th hole (par 5) was regrettable. This was his second consecutive runner-up finish following the KPGA Gunsan CC Open. Second-year player Kim Han-byul earned 21 points, achieving his personal best. Jung Seung-hwan (36) finished 4th (48 points), Park Sang-hyun (37, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) and Lee Kyung-jun (25) tied for 5th (45 points), and Choi Jin-ho (36, Hyundai Steel) placed 8th (41 points). KPGA Gunsan CC Open champion Kim Joo-hyung (18, CJ Logistics) remained tied for 40th (28 points).

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