Youngsoo Kim Surprises as Leader "8-Under Par Storm Shots"... Kyungjoo Choi Scores 3-Over Par with Determined Effort

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational Day 1 Course Record, Kim Dong-min 2nd Place by 1 Stroke, Park Sang-hyun Falters at 2 Under Par

Kim Young-su is looking at the ball right after the tee shot on the 16th hole on the first day of the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] Kim Young-su (32) has seized his first chance to win.

On the 30th, at Ferrum Golf Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (Par 72, 7,235 yards), the first day of the KPGA Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational (total prize money 1 billion KRW) kicked off, and Kim shot 8-under par to take the lead by one stroke. This tournament is especially significant as it was established in 2011 by the 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (50, SK Telecom) under his own name. Kim Dong-min (23) is in second place, one stroke behind (7-under par 65), while Kim Bi-o (31) and Kwon Oh-sang (26) are tied for third (6-under par 66), chasing closely.

Kim Young-su was noted as an elite player from the national team. It is remarkable that he has yet to win since his tour debut in 2011. He was the 2018 Challenge Tour (2nd tier) money leader, and his best Korean Tour result was a tie for third at the LG Signature Players Championship last November. This year, his form has changed, with five top-10 finishes in 13 tournaments. On this day, he collected eight birdies, and above all, his green hit rate of 88.89% and 'needle-like iron shots' showed great power.

The 8-under par is especially a course record, breaking Han Chang-won's (30) 6-under par 66 in the second round last year. He said, "All my shots were good," and added, "I will give my all until the end." Lee Joon-seok (Australia), ranked third in prize money, is tied for fifth (5-under par 67). Number 1 Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) has gone to the U.S. to participate in the PGA Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament, presenting an opportunity to leapfrog with the 200 million KRW first prize.

Two-time champion Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is tied for 32nd (2-under par 70), and defending champion Lee Chang-woo (28) is tied for 47th (1-under par 71). Seo Yo-seop (25, DB Insurance) struggled with 4-over par and dropped to tied 115th, facing the risk of missing the cut. The 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom) also finished tied 106th (3-over par 75). After a 2-over par, a par on the 16th hole (par 3) turned into a bogey, resulting in 3-over par overall. He stated, "I will manage my condition well and focus on advancing to the third round."

Choi Kyung-ju is smiling brightly at the 12th hole on the first day of the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational. Photo by KPGA

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