Kim Tae-ho's Unknown Surge "5 Under Par Lead"... 'Octuple Bogey' Park Chan-ho '20 Over Par Last Place'

On the First Day of the Newly Established Woori Financial Championship, Kim Min-kyu Ranks 2nd, National Representative Jo Woo-young 28th, Kim Bi-o 73rd, and Park Sang-hyun Struggles at 89th

Kim Tae-ho is teeing off at the 10th hole on the first day of the Woori Financial Championship. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Kim Tae-ho (27, Lahyun Oriental Medicine Hospital) is the 'unknown whirlwind.'

On the first day of the newly established Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour Woori Financial Championship (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW) held on the 12th at Ferrum Golf Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 7,216 yards), he surged with 5 under par to dominate the top of the leaderboard. Kim Min-gyu (21, CJ Logistics), Kang Yoon-seok (36, Aibazar), Lee Sang-yeop (28), Choi Min-cheol (34, Daebo Construction) are tied for 2nd place (4 under par 68), and as many as six players including Kim Ki-hwan (31, Volvik) are tied for 6th place (3 under par 69) in pursuit.

Kim Tae-ho recorded 1 eagle and 4 birdies (1 bogey). After 'stepping stone birdies' on the 11th and 13th holes, he took a brief breather with a bogey on the 15th hole (par 4), then caught an eagle on the last hole of the front nine, the 18th hole (par 5). In the back nine, he showed clean play by adding two birdies on the 2nd hole (par 4) and 5th hole (par 5). Leading by one stroke, he laid the foundation for his first career victory. Kim Tae-ho is the player who won the 2016 Hosimba Amateur Championship.

After being a national team member in 2017, he became a full KPGA member the following year and debuted on the Korean Tour in 2019. His personal best was a tie for 3rd place at the KB Financial Live Championship last May. This year, he suffered the humiliation of missing the cut in two consecutive tournaments. "I was very worried because my putting was off in the previous tournaments," said Kim Tae-ho, "but today both my putting and drive shots went exactly as I wanted," smiling brightly, "I feel great."

He added, "The pin positions are really tricky," and explained, "If I play calmly tomorrow as well, I think there will be good results." Heo In-hoe (35, Kumkang Housing) and Kwon Sung-yeol (36, Brix) are tied for 12th place (2 under par 70), Kang Kyung-nam (39, Yooyoung Pharmaceutical) and Lee Tae-hoon (Canada) are tied for 17th place (1 under par 71), starting off smoothly. National team member Jo Woo-young (21) is tied for 28th place (even par 72), and Jang Yoo-bin (20) is tied for 46th place (1 over par 73), performing well.

Kim Bi-o is making an iron shot on the 1st hole on the first day of the Woori Financial Championship. Photo by KPGA

GS Caltex Maekyung Open champion Kim Bi-o (32, Hoban Construction) finished tied for 73rd place (2 over par 74). DB Insurance Promy Open champion Park Sang-hyun (39, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is also struggling at tied for 89th place (3 over par 75). Major league pitcher Park Chan-ho (49), who appeared as a recommended player, is in last place at 142nd (20 over par 92). On the 5th hole (par 5), he took a whopping 13 strokes to hole out, committing an 'octuple bogey.' Im Sung-jae (24, CJ Logistics) withdrew due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Park Chan-ho is teeing off at the 1st hole on the first day of the Woori Financial Championship. Photo by KPGA

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