'Mr. 58' Kim Seong-hyun "Again 2020"... Kim Bi-o "Already Marching to 3 Wins"

'Monday Qualifier Victory' KPGA Championship "Challenging to Regain the Title After 2 Years", Defending Champ Seo Yoseop 'Title Defense', Kim Mingyu Joins

Kim Seong-hyun is aiming to reclaim the top position at the KPGA Championship after two years. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Again 2020."

‘Mr. 58’ Kim Seong-hyun (22) drew even more spotlight after passing the Monday qualifier to win the 2020 Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Championship. He had debuted earlier in 2019 on the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), but due to the impact of COVID-19, he made a 'U-turn' and played on the Korean Tour's Srixon (2nd tier) Tour. It is remarkable that his two wins last year in July?at the JGTO Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament and the Japan PGA Championship?both major tournaments, were achieved across Korea and Japan.

Two months earlier in May, at the JGTO Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament, he caused a sensation by shooting ‘12-under 58’ with two eagles and eight birdies on the final day. This is the second record in JGTO history after Ryo Ishikawa (Japan, August 2016, 4 rounds at the Junichi Crowns). In November, he finished tied for 39th at the PGA Tour’s Korn Ferry (2nd tier) Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) in the U.S., and this year he moved to the U.S., achieving two runner-up finishes and one third place, securing his PGA Tour card for next year with consistent performance.

For Kim Seong-hyun, the KPGA Championship held on the 9th at A-One Golf Club in Yangsan, Gyeongnam (par 71, 7,048 yards) is very special. He returned to Korea early and completed his ‘warm-up’ with a tie for 20th place at the SK Telecom Open, which ended on the 5th. The total prize money has increased by 500 million won, and the motivation is further boosted by the dazzling rewards such as a 5-year tour card and a PGA Tour CJ Cup ticket. He expressed his fighting spirit, saying, "I was disappointed that I couldn't defend my title last year."

'Prize Money Leader' Kim Bi-o has already started hunting for his third win of the season at the KPGA Championship. Photo by KPGA

Kim Bi-o (32, Hoban Construction) is a player to watch. He swept two wins in just three tournaments last month, including the GS Caltex Maekyung Open and the SK Telecom Open, currently leading the prize money ranking with 560 million won and topping the points ranking with 2,400 points. This time, he could set a new milestone by achieving three wins and breaking 800 million won in KPGA history for the first time. He added his hunter instinct, saying, "All my shot senses are good," and "I want to reach three wins in majors."

Defending champion Seo Yo-seop (26, DB Insurance) is challenging to become the first player in 34 years since Choi Yoon-soo (74) in 1988 to win the tournament consecutively. He recalls the thrilling know-how of his 4-stroke victory (18-under 262) on the same course last year. ‘Runner-up in the Order of Merit’ Kim Min-gyu (21) has joined the title race. His consistency is powerful, having entered the ‘Top 10’ five times in six events this season. ‘Tank’ Choi Kyung-ju (52, SK Telecom) has appeared for the first time in 24 years since 1998.

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