Kim Hanbyeol 'Consecutive Victory'... "I am also a Top Rookie"

Hazzys Golf KPGA Open Final Day 8-Under Par Storm Shots, Lee Jaekyung's Thrilling Winning Birdie on First Playoff Hole

Kim Hanbyeol is cheering immediately after winning the Hazzy's Golf KPGA Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Kim Han-byeol (24) achieved a dramatic 'playoff victory.'

On the 30th, at Ildong Lake Golf Club in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (par 72, 7,209 yards), during the final day of the KPGA Hedgies Golf KPGA Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), Kim Han-byeol surged with an 8-under-par round to tie for the lead at 21-under-par 267 with Lee Jae-kyung (21, CJ O Shopping). She then secured the winning birdie on the first playoff hole. She is a top rookie who debuted on the Korean Tour last year. With the winner’s prize of 100 million KRW, she instantly took over first place in the Player of the Year standings (1,975 points) and third place in the money rankings (158 million KRW).

Kim Han-byeol is a next-generation prospect who served as a national team reserve for four years starting in 2015. She passed the 2018 Korean Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) in 5th place, and last year, she successfully settled in by reaching the main event nine times out of eleven tournaments, finishing 34th in the money rankings. Last month, she suffered a tough loss in a playoff against Lee Soo-min (27) and Kim Min-gyu (19, CJ Logistics) at the KPGA Open, which only fueled her determination.

Starting the day in third place, one stroke behind, her green hit rate of 83.33% and pinpoint iron shots stood out. She showcased a storm of shots, including four consecutive birdies from holes 3 to 6, totaling eight birdies. Kim Han-byeol said, "I was really nervous when making the champion putt," adding, "I thought I would smile broadly if I won, but instead, I was overwhelmed with emotion thinking of my hardworking parents," and broke into tears. She expressed her ambition, saying, "I want to achieve multiple wins when the opportunity comes."

Lee Jae-kyung lowered her score by seven strokes but settled for second place. Yoo Song-gyu (24) finished third at 18-under-par 270. Lee Tae-hee (36)’s bid for a 'second consecutive win' stopped at a tie for fourth place (16-under-par 272). After leading in the second round, she shot 1-under in the third round and 3-under on this day, failing to achieve a rare feat not seen since Park Sang-hyun (37, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) won back-to-back titles at the 2014 Bayer Pine Ridge Open in August and the KJ Invitational in October, five years and ten months ago. Money leader Kim Sung-hyun finished tied for 33rd at 7-under-par 281.

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