'Conferiture' Kim Seong-hyun "Confirmed to Join PGA Tour Next Year"... What About An Byeong-hun?
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ‘Mr. 58’ Kim Seong-hyun (24, photo) has virtually secured his entry into next year’s U.S. PGA Tour.
On the 9th (Korean time), at Grove Golf Course in Tennessee, USA (par 72), he finished tied for 55th place (1-under 287) on the final day of the PGA Korn Ferry Tour Simmons Bank Open (total prize money $750,000), but maintained his 2nd place in the points ranking (904.81 points). After finishing tied for 39th at the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) last November, he moved to the U.S. this year and successfully made a smooth landing with a tie for 2nd at the Suncoast Classic in February and 2nd place at the Lake Charles Championship in March.
Kim Seong-hyun is a player who has won two major titles combined in Korea and Japan: the KPGA Championship on the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour in August 2020, and the Japan PGA Championship on the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) last July. In May, at the JGTO Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament, he drew even more spotlight by shooting ‘12-under 58’ on the final day with two eagles and eight birdies. He is the second player in JGTO history to achieve this, following Ryo Ishikawa (Japan, August 2016, four rounds at the Junichi Crowns).
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He has already secured strong support through a sponsorship contract with Shinhan Financial Group in December and is accompanied by caddie Patrick Smith, who has experience on the U.S. LPGA Tour. “My early results were good,” he said, adding, “It still doesn’t feel real yet.” He also showed his hunter instinct by saying, “There are many tournaments left, so if possible, I want to finish in first place.” In Korea, An Byeong-hun (31) is positioned 3rd (890.10 points), making his return to the PGA Tour likely. If he enters the ‘Top 25’ by the end of the year, he will be granted a PGA Tour card for the following year.
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