Kim Hanbyeol Leads at 7 Under Par "Going for 2 Consecutive Wins"... "Did You See the 333-Yard Long Drive?"
Korean Tour Major 64th KPGA Championship Day 1: Kim Byung-jun 2nd Place by 1 Stroke, 'Domestic No. 1' Kim Joo-hyung Tied 9th at 4 Under Par
Kim Hanbyeol is teeing off at the 15th hole on the first day of the 64th KPGA Championship. Photo by KPGA
View original image[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is the early surge of Kim Han-byul (25, SK Telecom).
On the 12th, at A-One Golf Course in Yangsan, Gyeongnam (par 70, 6,971 yards), the 64th KPGA Championship, a major on the Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour, opened. Kim Han-byul fired a 7-under par on the first day to take the lead by one stroke. Following her victory at the Yamaha Owners K Open on the 25th of last month, she is on the verge of achieving ‘back-to-back wins’ in two consecutive tournaments. Kim Byung-joon (30) is in second place (6-under par 64), and 2019 champion Lee Won-jun (Australia) is tied for third place (5-under par 65), aiming to reclaim the title after two years.
Kim Han-byul collected seven birdies. She had a strong start with consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2, followed by a birdie on hole 5 (par 4), and then another set of consecutive birdies on holes 8 and 9, creating momentum. She added another pair of consecutive birdies on holes 13 and 14 in the back nine. On hole 14 (par 4), her tee shot flew 333.4 yards, landing on the green fringe, showcasing her long-hitting power. She relied on an 83.33% greens-in-regulation rate and her ‘pinpoint iron shots’ as her driving force. She expressed confidence, saying, "The rough has become much shorter than last year," and "I will play aggressively."
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It is interesting that Kim Byung-joon was the winner in 2011. Although he lost his tour card last year, he has entered revival mode this year by winning twice on the Srixon (second-tier) Tour. The motivation is heightened by the possibility of securing a five-year tour card instantly with a major victory. Leading the prize money rankings, Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) is tied for ninth place (4-under par 66), and ‘Match King’ Lee Dong-min (36) has joined this group. ‘Korean Open Champion’ Lee Joon-seok (Australia) remained tied for 68th place (even par 70).
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