Kim Bi-o Wins by 2 Shots "Reclaims Top Spot After 10 Years"... Jo Min-gyu "Why the 2 Penalty Strokes on Hole 9?" (Summary)

On the Final Day of the MaeKyung Open, Showcasing Defensive Skills with 1 Over Par, Jo Min-kyu Ranks 2nd "Hates the Penalty", 'Domestic No. 1' Kim Joo-hyung Ties for 5th Place

Kim Bi-o is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning 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 posting 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 seventh career victory, coming six months after the final event of the 2021 season, the LG Signature, in November last year, with 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 championship 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. He is a player who was heavily penalized for a 'finger gesture' incident at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Open in September 2019 but made a comeback at the LG Signature. He said, "I was very worried until Wednesday," and added, "The gallery’s warm support gave me strength." He also pledged, "I will become a more mature player."

Jomin Kyu received a two-stroke penalty for stepping on an unused green and playing on the 9th hole during the final day of the Maekyung Open.

Jo Min-kyu (34) stopped his pursuit at 2nd place (7-under 277). After a strong start with 3-under over the first 7 holes and competing fiercely as a co-leader, he was hindered by a bogey on the 8th hole (par 4) and a double bogey on the 9th hole. The '2-stroke penalty' on the 9th hole was unexpected. Although his second shot landed on an unused green fringe and he made 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), if a wrong green interferes, relief (drop) must be taken. Neither the ball nor both feet may touch the green. This is why the 2-stroke penalty was added. After birdieing the 18th hole to secure 2nd place, Jo Min-kyu threw off his cap and celebrated as if he had won, trying to console himself. It is interesting that when Kim Bi-o’s second shot on the 18th hole landed on an unused green, Jo carefully moved the ball.

Moon Kyung-jun (40, NH Nonghyup Bank) finished 3rd (6-under 278), and 'domestic number 1' Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics) secured a tie for 5th place (4-under 280) with a strong finish at 1-under par. He will depart immediately on the 9th to compete consecutively in the PGA Tour 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 claimed the Asian Tour money title, he is currently ranked 78th in the world. He fired up his fighting spirit, saying, "I will focus on the big leagues for the time being."

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