Sangyeop Lee Takes Lead "First Win Chance in 5 Years 10 Months"... Hyungjun Lee 2nd Place, 1 Stroke Behind

DB Insurance Promi Open Day 3: Exciting 5-Under, Ham Jeong-woo 3rd, Kim Seung-hyeok and Kim Han-byeol Tied 4th

Lee Sang-yeop is teeing off at the 9th hole on the third day of the DB Insurance Promy Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is Lee Sang-yeop's (28) leap to the lead.

On the 16th, at the Old Course (par 71, 7,148 yards) of La Vie Belle Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, during the third day of the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour 2022 season opener DB Insurance Promy Open (total prize money 700 million KRW), he surged with a 5-under-par round to dominate the top of the leaderboard (11-under-par 202 strokes). Lee Hyung-joon (30) is in 2nd place (10-under-par 203 strokes), Ham Jung-woo (28, Hana Financial Group) is 3rd (8-under-par 205 strokes), and Cho Sung-min (37), Kim Seung-hyuk (36), and Kim Han-byeol (26, SK Telecom) are tied for 4th place (7-under-par 206 strokes).

Starting from a tie for 4th place, 3 strokes behind, Lee Sang-yeop played a flawless round with 5 birdies and no bogeys. He reduced 2 strokes in the front nine with birdies on the 1st hole (par 5) and 6th hole (par 4), then added 'stepping stone birdies' on the 11th and 13th holes, and finally a birdie on the 18th hole (par 4) to claim the top spot on the leaderboard. Rising to a 1-stroke lead, this marks his second career win after 5 years and 10 months since winning the 2016 Descente Korea Munsingwear Match Play.

"Overall, it was a satisfying day," said Lee Sang-yeop. "The wind was strong, but I think luck was on my side. I'm happy to finish the round with a good score," he smiled brightly. Lee Sang-yeop is a player who debuted on the Korean Tour in 2015 after representing the national team. He became the 'Match King' in 2016 with his powerful long drives, but later struggled with 'drive yips' and failed to achieve notable results. Last season, he had a tough time on the Srixon (2nd division) Tour.

Lee Hyung-jun is examining the putting line on the 6th hole during the third day of the DB Insurance Promy Open. Photo by KPGA

Last November, he secured his regular tour card by finishing tied for 4th in the Qualifying Tournament (QT). "Actually, I had problems with my driver shots since the year I won," he explained, "but now it’s somewhat resolved, and I have changed my mindset." 'Reservist' Lee Hyung-joon added 2-under-par, increasing his chances of a comeback victory. After completing his military service in July last year, he returned and revived his 'winning know-how' with a tie for 15th at the DGB Financial Group Irvine Open in September.

He is challenging his 6th career win, three years after winning the 2019 Munsingwear Match Play. Lee Hyung-joon said, "The strong wind made it tough," but added, "Tomorrow, I will play boldly." Ham Jung-woo, ranked 3rd in the Order of Merit, also reduced 4 strokes, closing the gap to 3 strokes behind the leader. On the other hand, the previous day’s leader Cho Sung-min lost 2 strokes and slipped to a tie for 4th place. Park Sang-hyun (39, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) and Park Sung-guk (34, KM Pharmaceutical), ranked 2nd in the Order of Merit points, are tied for 8th place (6-under-par 207 strokes).

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