Kang Kyung-nam "Cheers for Victory After 4 Years and 2 Months"... Ok Tae-hoon 'Narrow Loss in Overtime'

Bizplay-Electronic Newspaper Open: Jo Min-kyu Secures 11th Career Win, Ranks 3rd; Kim Joo-hyung and Park Sang-hyun Tie for 4th

Kang Kyung-nam is cheering immediately after winning the Bizplay-Electronic Newspaper Open in a playoff on the final day. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The "gambler" Kang Kyung-nam (38, Yooyoung Pharmaceutical) wins again in a playoff.

On the final day of the KPGA Korean Tour Bizplay-Electronic Times Open (total prize money 600 million KRW) held on the 5th at Happiness Golf Course in Naju, Jeonnam (par 72, 7,125 yards), Kang added a 3-under-par round to tie with Ok Tae-hoon (23, PNS Holdings) at 19-under-par 269. He then secured the victory birdie on the first hole of the playoff at the 18th hole (par 4). This marks his 11th career win, his first in 4 years and 2 months since the Jinju Savings Bank Kaido Open in July 2017, with a winner's prize of 120 million KRW.

Kang started with a 2-stroke lead and made 4 birdies (1 bogey). He smoothly progressed with "stepping stone birdies" on holes 2 and 4 and a birdie on the 11th hole, but was halted by a bogey on the 14th hole (both par 4). A birdie on the 17th hole (par 5) pushed the match into overtime, and on the 18th hole, he hit his second shot to within 2.5 meters of the hole and made the birdie. His 11 wins place him tied for 7th in the tour's all-time wins ranking alongside Choi Yoon-soo (73), and he holds the most wins among active players.

He continued his good relationship with Naju by winning his third title there, following the 2006 Joongheung S-Class Gold Lake Open and the 2013 Happiness Gwangju Bank Open. Notably, the Happiness Gwangju Bank Open and this tournament were held on the same course, Happiness Golf Course. Kang Kyung-nam, who said, "I have been through a lot mentally, so this feels like a dream," added, "I worked hard preparing for the second half of the season after the first half ended. Since my results in the second half are better, I will strive for my second win of the season."

Ok Tae-hoon, who debuted in 2018, performed well with a 5-under-par round but was satisfied with his personal best 2nd place. Cho Min-kyu (33) finished 3rd (17-under-par 271). Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics), who leads in prize money, points, and average score, lowered his score by 3 strokes to tie for 4th place (16-under-par 272). Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical), ranked 2nd in points, also joined this group. KPGA Championship champion Seo Yo-seop (25, DB Insurance) finished tied for 6th (14-under-par 274).

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