Sanghyun Park vs Yoseop Seo "I'll Get 3 Wins First"... What About Host Kyungjoo Choi?

Competition for 3 Wins at Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-Joo Invitational Opening on the 30th, Lee Chang-Woo 'Title Defense', Choi Kyung-Joo Aims for Oldest Korean Tour Victory

Sanghyun Park (left) and Yoseop Seo compete in the "3-win race" at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is on a '3-win march.'

On the 30th, at the Ferrum Golf Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (Par 72, 7,235 yards), the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational (total prize money 1 billion KRW) opened. This is a stage established in 2011 by 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (50, SK Telecom) under his own name. After missing last year due to COVID-19, this year he returned home in glory after becoming the first Korean to win the PGA Champions (Senior) Tour on the 27th, drawing even more spotlight.

Park Sang-hyun secured his second win on the 19th at the DGB Financial Group Irvine Open, following his victory in July at the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open. Currently, he is second in the season points standings (4,764.19 points), while first place Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) has gone to the United States to participate in the first qualifying tournament of the PGA Korn Ferry (second-tier) Tour, aiming to become 'Number 1.' A finish of 'solo 22nd place or better' is required. He declared firmly, "My ultimate goal this season is to win the overall title."

Another two-time champion, Seo Yo-seop (25, DB Insurance), is a player to watch. He has been on the rise after sweeping two wins in quick succession at the KPGA Championship on the 15th of last month and the Shinhan Donghae Open on the 12th. He is second in prize money (514.93 million KRW), and the 200 million KRW first prize at this tournament is a direct driving force to surpass first place Kim Joo-hyung (634.94 million KRW). Defending champion Lee Chang-woo (28) is aiming to defend his title. Last year, after a fierce battle extending to the fourth hole of a playoff, he sealed the victory with an 85-meter eagle shot.

K.J. Choi challenges the record for the oldest winner on the Korea Tour at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance K.J. Choi Invitational.

Choi Kyung-ju is challenging to become the oldest winner on the Korean Tour. Born in May 1970, he can break the record of 50 years and 4 months set by Choi Sang-ho during his victory at the 2005 Maeil Business Newspaper Open in May 2005. His performance is solid, as demonstrated by his maximum 280-yard tee shots and an 83.33% greens in regulation rate on the final day when he won the Champions Tour Pure Insurance Championship. He commented, "I will focus on advancing to the third round first," adding, "Adjusting to the time difference and managing stamina are key to maintaining my condition."

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