"Iron Man" Jo Min-kyu: "I'm Hungry for a Korean Tour Victory~"

This Year, Fully Focused on Domestic Stage Due to 'COVID-19' Impact, 'Green Accuracy No.1'... "Expecting the Fruit of 10 Years of Japanese Know-How"

"Iron Man" Jo Min-kyu ranked first in the Korean Tour for iron shot green in regulation percentage this year.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] 'Iron Man.'

This is the nickname of Cho Min-kyu (32, Titleist). He ranks first in the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour for iron shot green-in-regulation rate this year (75.65%). This rate refers to successfully reaching the green within one shot on par-3 holes, two shots on par-4 holes, and three shots on par-5 holes. Due to an injury, he also received a prize worth 5 million won: a one-year supply of Jirisan water. "It is meaningful as my first season title on the domestic stage," he said, "and I am determined to win next year."

He debuted in Japan first after passing the 2007 Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) Qualifying (Q) School. He achieved two career wins at the 2011 Kansai Open and the 2016 Fujisankei Classic. Although he ranked only 70th in the prize money ranking last year, he confidently retained his tour card by finishing first in the December Qualifying Tournament (QT). However, this season, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he focused on the KPGA instead of the JGTO.

It is interesting that Cho Min-kyu has yet to win on the Korean Tour. He has been runner-up three times: in 2011, at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last August, and at the 2017 Genesis Championship, which has been frustrating. The Maekyung Open last August was especially disappointing. He led by one stroke on the final day but faltered with consecutive bogeys on holes 17 and 18. Lee Tae-hee (36, OK Savings Bank) made history as the first player to successfully defend a title since the tournament’s inception in 1982.

Cho Min-kyu is also excellent in the short game. Besides his "computer-like iron shots," he ranks fifth in recovery rate (63.09%)?the rate of scoring par or better after missing the green?and 19th in average putts per hole (1.77), demonstrating his "stingy putting." "Having played in Japan for over 10 years, I gained know-how," he explained. "The fairways are narrow, the rough around the greens is long, and the greens are very fast like glass plates, so I adapted to these conditions."

In the 2020 season, he participated in all 11 tournaments, entering the top 10 four times, ranking ninth in the Order of Merit points (2317 points, 45 points), and 13th in prize money ranking (185.4 million won). He successfully made a smooth landing. "It was my first time playing a full season," he said, "and I enjoyed it because I could often meet with close friends." He added, "My overall feel for shots and putting has improved a lot. I want to keep this momentum and achieve my first win next year."

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