'2 Consecutive Wins' Kim Hanbyeol "After 5 Years 11 Months"..."Grand Prize + Top Prize Money"

Shinhan Donghae Open Final Day 4-Under Par '2-Stroke Victory', Lee Tae-hoon 2nd, Wang Jeong-hoon Tied 3rd

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Grand Prize + No.1 in Prize Money."

Kim Han-byul (22) achieved her '2nd consecutive win.' On the final day of the Shinhan Donghae Open (total prize money 1.4 billion KRW) held on the 13th at Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon (par 71, 7,238 yards), she added 4-under-par to secure a 2-stroke victory (14-under-par 270). This marks her second win of the season following the Hazzys Golf KPGA Open on the 30th of last month. She also set a historic milestone as the first player in 5 years and 11 months since Park Sang-hyun (37, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) won two consecutive tournaments in August 2014 at the Bayerner-Fine Ries Open and in October at the KJ Invitational.

Kim Han-byul is a promising next-generation player 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 demonstrated consistency by qualifying for the main rounds in 9 out of 11 tournaments, finishing 34th in the prize money rankings. In July at the KPGA Open, she narrowly lost in a three-player playoff against Lee Soo-min (27) and Kim Min-gyu (19, CJ Logistics), which was a source of frustration. Her victory at the Hazzys Golf KPGA Open served as a successful redemption.

On this day, starting in 2nd place just one stroke behind, she made four birdies. She opened the scoring early with a birdie on the 1st hole (par 4), added another birdie on the 6th hole (par 5), and secured her lead with consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes. Her green hit rate of 72.22% showcased her 'computer iron shots,' and her 'stingy putting' was powerful, including sinking a 14-meter long putt on the 13th hole (par 5). She finished cleanly by placing her first putts close to the hole on holes 16 through 18.

The winner's prize money of a whopping 260.3 million KRW is especially welcome. Along with multiple wins, she has taken the top spot in the grand prize ranking (2,975 points) and the prize money ranking (417.75 million KRW), sweeping the individual titles. Kim Han-byul also cheered, "Saving par on the 13th hole after my tee shot landed in the bunker was crucial," adding, "The hard work I put into my short game really paid off." She expressed filial piety by saying, "I will work even harder to take care of my parents who have supported me for a long time."

2017 champion Lee Tae-hoon (Canada) posted a daily best 5-under-par to finish 2nd (12-under-par 272), while Wang Jeong-hoon (25), Choi Min-cheol (32), and Park Jung-hwan (27) tied for 3rd place (11-under-par 273). Kwon Sung-yeol (34) dropped to 6th place (10-under-par 274) after consecutive bogeys on holes 17 and 18. Moon Kyung-jun (37), who led by 4 strokes on the second day, struggled with 2-over-par rounds in the 3rd and 4th rounds, finishing tied for 7th place (9-under-par 275).

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