Rookie Bae Yong-jun "Wire-to-Wire Victory"... "I am the Strong Player at Sollago CC"

Honors K·Solrago CC Hanjang Sangin Invitational Newcomer First Champion, Lee Jaekyung 2nd, Choi Chunho 3rd, Jeon Seonghyun and Jeong Chanmin Tied 4th

Bae Yong-joon is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the final day of the Honors K·Solago CC Han Jang-sang Invitational. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Rookie Bae Yong-jun (22) achieved a 'wire-to-wire' victory.

On the 17th, at Solago Golf Club in Taean, Chungnam (par 72, 7,272 yards), Bae added 9 points with 5 birdies and 1 bogey on the final day of the KPGA Korean Tour Honors K·Solago CC Han Jang Merchant Invitational (total prize money 500 million won), completing a 6-point win (53 points). He maintained the top position on the leaderboard for four days, securing a perfect victory. Bae Yong-jun, who debuted on the Korean Tour this year, earned his thrilling first win in just 11 tournaments and received 100 million won in prize money.

The tournament used a modified Stableford scoring system that converts each hole's result into points. An albatross is worth 8 points, an eagle 5 points, a birdie 2 points, par 0 points, bogey -1 point, and double bogey or worse -3 points. Bae started with a 4-point lead, made a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 5), then recorded a bogey on the 4th hole (par 4), but regained momentum with birdies on the 6th and 10th holes. On the 15th hole (par 4), where he was chased by a 1-point margin, he sent his tee shot near the green and added a precious birdie with a precise approach shot.

Bae Yong-jun is a skilled player who won the 2018 Heo Jeong-gu Korean Amateur Championship and Hosim Cup during his amateur days, as well as the 2019 Maekyung Solago Cup and Songam Cup. He was a national team member and played on the Srixon (2nd tier) Tour last year. Joining the regular tour this year, he showed his ability by finishing tied for 6th at the April season opener DB Insurance Promy Open and 3rd at last month's major KPGA Championship. With this tournament win, he rose to first place in rookie points.

Lee Jae-kyung is teeing off at the 5th hole on the final day of the Honors K·Solrago CC Han Jang Sang-in Invitational. Photo by KPGA

Bae Yong-jun exclaimed, "I feel like I'm flying after my first win," adding, "I felt good when I made a birdie on the first hole of the back nine." Lee Jae-kyung (23) added 11 points but was satisfied with runner-up (47 points). Choi Cheon-ho (32) finished 3rd (46 points), and Jeon Seong-hyun (29) and Jeong Chan-min (23) tied for 4th (45 points) with strong performances. 'KPGA Championship champ' Shin Sang-hoon (24) and 'Asiad CC Busan Open champ' Hwang Jung-gon (30) tied for 23rd (33 points), while defending champion Kim Han-byeol (26) finished tied for 36th (30 points).

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