Park Sang-hyun's 8-Birdie Show "Hunting for 10 Wins on the Korean Tour"

DGB Financial Group Irvine Open Final Day 7-Under Par Comeback Victory, Kim Hanbyeol 2nd, Kim Taehoon 3rd, Kim Juhyung Tied 5th

Sanghyun Park is cheering immediately after winning the DGB Financial Group Irvine Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical), ranked second in the Order of Merit, achieved double-digit wins.

On the 19th, at the final day of the KPGA Korean Tour DGB Financial Group Irvine Open (total prize money 500 million KRW) held at Pam Hills Golf Club in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk (par 71, 7,215 yards), he surged with a 7-under-par round to secure a 2-stroke victory (23-under-par 261). This marks his second win of the season and his 10th career win, two months after winning the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open in July. The winner's prize money is 100 million KRW. Following 'two-win champ' Seo Yo-seop (25, DB Insurance), he is the second multiple winner this year.

Starting from second place, one stroke behind, Park Sang-hyun collected eight birdies and one bogey. His strong start included consecutive birdies on holes 1 to 3 and a birdie on hole 6 (par 4). After a bogey on hole 7 (par 4), he regained momentum with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 9 and 11. At hole 13 (par 5), he faced his biggest challenge. His second shot veered left, risking a lost stroke, but he managed to reach the green on his fourth shot and sank a crucial 7-meter par putt.

After overcoming this critical moment dramatically, he secured a precious birdie on hole 14 (par 4). On the 18th hole (par 5), where he held a precarious one-stroke lead, he celebrated his victory with a birdie and cheered enthusiastically. "I finally achieved my long-awaited 10th career win on the Korean Tour and surpassed 4 billion KRW in cumulative prize money," said Park Sang-hyun. "There are still many big tournaments left, and I will focus even more on the remaining events with the goal of winning the Order of Merit this year," he added.

Kim Han-byul (25, SK Telecom), the previous day's leader and Yamaha Owners K Open champion, performed well with a 4-under-par round but settled for runner-up (21-under-par 263). Kim Tae-hoon (36, Webcash Group) recorded a 5-under-par round including an eagle on the 18th hole to finish third (16-under-par 268). Park Eun-shin (31, UBASE) placed fourth (14-under-par 270), and 'prize money leader' Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) tied for fifth (13-under-par 271). Seo Yo-seop finished tied for 12th (10-under-par 274).

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