Kim Bi-o Wins by 2 Strokes "Reclaims Top Spot After 10 Years"... Jo Min-gyu Asks "Why a 2-Stroke Penalty on Hole 9?"

On the Final Day of the Maekyung Open, Defensive Play at 1 Over Par, Cho Min-kyu Ranks 2nd Saying "I Hate Penalties", Youngest Triple Crown Winner Kim Joo-hyung Ties for 5th Place

Kim Bi-o is preparing for a tee shot on the 2nd hole on the final day of the Maekyung Open.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "After 10 years."

Kim Bi-o (32, Hoban Construction) secured a 2-stroke victory (9-under 275) by shooting 1-over par on the final day of the KPGA GS Caltex Maekyung Open (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW) held on the 8th at Namseoul Golf Club in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province (par 71, 7,047 yards). This was his first win of the season and his 7th career victory, coming six months after the final event of the 2021 season, the LG Signature, in November last year. He earned a winner's prize of 300 million KRW. It also carried special significance as he returned to the top of this tournament for the first time in a full 10 years since 2012.

Kim Bi-o took a 4-stroke lead the previous day, effectively securing the win early, and focused on defense on the final day, recovering from a bogey on the 6th hole (par 3) with a '2-on 2-putt' birdie on the 9th hole (par 5). The bogey on the last 18th hole (par 4) did not affect his victory. Cho Min-kyu (34) ended his pursuit in 2nd place (7-under 277). After a strong start with 3-under over the first 7 holes and competing for the lead, his momentum was halted by a bogey on the 8th hole (par 4) and a double bogey on the 9th hole.

Jomin Kyu is attempting a chip shot on the 1st hole on the final day of the Maekyung Open.

The '2-stroke penalty' on the 9th hole was unexpected. Although his second shot landed on an unused green fringe resulting in a '3-on 2-putt' par, the Korea Golf Association (KGA) judged that his stance during the third shot was on the green. According to the 2019 revised golf rule 13.1f (1), relief must be granted if the wrong green interferes. This was the reason for the 2-stroke penalty imposed on Cho Min-kyu. Moon Kyung-jun (40, NH Nonghyup Bank) finished 3rd (6-under 278), with a notable daily best of 4-under par.

Last year's youngest Korean Tour 'Triple Crown' winner Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics) showed strong finishing power with 1-under par to tie for 5th place (4-under 280). He will depart immediately on the 9th to compete consecutively in the PGA Tour's AT&T Byron Nelson starting on the 13th and the second major, the PGA Championship, on the 20th. Having won the Singapore International in January and topped the Asian Tour money list, he is currently ranked 78th in the world. He expressed his determination, saying, "I will focus on overseas tours for the time being."

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