'First Victory' Lee Kyung-hoon "An Unbelievable Moment"..."Turning Point Was Hole 17"

PGA Tour Win After 80 Events, Putter Change Pays Off "Thanks to Choi Kyung-ju and Kang Sung-hoon for the Congratulations"

Lee Kyung-hoon is smiling brightly while holding the trophy with his pregnant wife Yoo Ju-yeon right after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson. McKinney, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "This is an unbelievable moment."

This is the reaction of Lee Kyung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics) upon his first victory on the PGA Tour. On the 17th (Korean time) at the Craig Ranch Golf Course in McKinney, Texas (par 72, 7,468 yards), he tasted the joy of victory after 80 PGA Tour events at the AT&T Byron Nelson (total prize money $8.1 million). "I am very excited," said Lee Kyung-hoon, "I have waited a long time for this moment," and he cheered, "I am grateful to many people who helped me."

The journey to victory was not easy. He played through rain during the round. Before his par putt on the 16th hole (par 4), where he was leading by three strokes, the game was suspended due to severe weather, causing a wait of about two and a half hours. Although he faltered briefly with a bogey on the 16th hole, he sealed the victory with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. "It was difficult conditions for all players," he explained, "I tried to be patient and maintain a positive mindset."

He added, "I did not look at the leaderboard during the break," saying, "I did not want to put pressure on myself." Around the green of the 18th hole (par 5), PGA Tour eight-time champion Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom) and 2019 champion Kang Sung-hoon (34, CJ Logistics) were waiting. "KJ (Choi Kyung-ju) is like a big daddy," he said, expressing gratitude, "He congratulated me a lot." His wife Yoo Ju-yeon, who is due to give birth in July, also watched her husband's performance.

"My wife is pregnant," he said, smiling brightly, "There are two months left until the birth, and I don't know how I can wait." He pointed to the 17th hole (par 3, 130 yards), where he was chased by a two-stroke difference, as the turning point. He made a precious birdie by placing the ball within 1 meter of the hole. "I took a pitching wedge from 130 yards," Lee Kyung-hoon analyzed, "Although I made a bogey on the 16th hole, I attacked more aggressively," and said, "It was a birdie that made me confident of winning." Changing his putter also paid off.

This season, his average putts per round were 28.59, ranking 49th. In this tournament, his putts per hole were 1.60, ranking 6th. "My putting caused problems in several tournaments, so my results were not good," he said, "Changing my putter was a big help." After the game, Lee Kyung-hoon conducted an interview in English directly with the local TV broadcast team. Although he said, "I need to learn more English," the reporter who asked the questions encouraged him, saying, "Your English skills are fine now."

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