Kim Bio "3 Under Par in Comeback Match"... Kang Kyungnam Leads with 7 Under Par
On the First Day of the Maekyung Open, Defending Champion Lee Taehee Ties for 3rd, 'Order of Merit Leader' Lee Sumin Ties for 26th, Both Tied for 8th
Kim Bi-o is examining the putting line at the 9th hole on the first day of the Maekyung Open.
View original image[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist] "3-under par in the comeback round."
Kim Bi-o (30) shot 3 under par on the first day of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW) held on the 21st at Elysian Gangchon Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 70, 7,001 yards), rising to a tie for 8th place. Kang Kyung-nam (37) surged to the lead with 7 under par, while Min-kyu Cho (32), a member of the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), is chasing in 2nd place, one stroke behind at 6 under par (64 strokes). The originally scheduled May event was postponed by three months due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Kim Bi-o appeared on the tour after a long 11 months. He received a severe penalty of a "3-year suspension" from the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) due to a 'middle finger gesture' on the final day of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Open last September. When his tee shot at the 16th hole (par 4) topped due to the camera shutter sound, he raised his middle finger toward the gallery, drawing heavy criticism. Interestingly, the KPGA reduced the suspension to "1 year" in October last year and then granted a special pardon again on the 27th of last month.
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Defending champion Lee Tae-hee (36) started his "quest for a second consecutive win" from 3rd place at 5 under par. He made an eagle shot on the 6th hole (par 4), adding 6 birdies, 1 bogey, and 1 double bogey. He recalls the thrilling memory of clinching the "winning birdie" after a fierce battle extending to the third playoff hole against Janne Kaske (Finland) last year. While Lee Soo-min (27), ranked first in the "Order of Merit," stood tied for 26th at 1 under par, Kim Sung-hyun (22), the "leading money winner," fell back to a tie for 99th at 5 over par.
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