Ok Tae-hoon Wins Asian Tour International Korea... Walk-off Birdie on 18th Hole

Ok Tae-hoon (24) won the 4th round of the Asian Tour International Series Korea tournament held on the 21st at Lotte Skyhill CC in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, recording 6 birdies and 3 bogeys for a 3-under-par 68.
Photo by International Series Korea PR Team
Image source: Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Ok Tae-hoon (24) won the Asian Tour International Series Korea (total prize money $1.5 million).

On the final day of the tournament held on the 21st at Lotte Skyhill CC in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 71, 7,079 yards), Ok Tae-hoon recorded 6 birdies and 3 bogeys for a 3-under-par 68 in the 4th round. With a final total of 15-under-par 269, Ok Tae-hoon edged out Kim Bi-o (32), who scored 14-under-par 270, by one stroke to claim the top spot.

Ok Tae-hoon, who served as a national team reserve for two years starting in 2013, has won on the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) 2nd and 3rd tours but has yet to win on the KPGA Korean Tour. After turning professional in 2016, this was effectively his first victory, earning him a winner's prize of $270,000 (approximately 360 million KRW).

This season, Ok Tae-hoon has placed in the top 10 six times on the KPGA Korean Tour. His best result before this was 3rd place at the Descente Korea Munsingwear Match Play in May. His best career finish on the Korean Tour was runner-up at the Bizplay Electronic Times Open last September.

Up to the 16th hole (par 4), Ok Tae-hoon led by two strokes over co-second place players Kim Bi-o and Trevor Simsby (USA). However, his tee shot on the 17th hole (par 3) went into the left greenside rough, costing him one stroke. Meanwhile, Kim Bi-o, playing in the group ahead, made a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5) to tie at 14-under-par and finished his round first.

Playing in the champion group, Ok Tae-hoon lost his two-stroke lead and faced the risk of a playoff, but on the 18th hole, he hit his third shot to about 1.5 meters from the hole and finished the game without a playoff.

In the winner's ceremony interview, Ok Tae-hoon said, "My father passed away early, so I want to express my gratitude to him, and I also thank my mother who allowed me to play golf. This tournament has become a stepping stone for me to move forward."

After completing the 17th hole, Ok Tae-hoon learned that he was tied with Kim Bi-o. He said, "On the 18th hole, I asked my caddie, 'Can I do well?' and he said, 'You can,' so I confidently approached the last hole."

Kim Bi-o, who finished earlier and was preparing for a playoff, ultimately took second place by one stroke due to Ok Tae-hoon's birdie on the 18th hole. Kim Bi-o received $165,000 in prize money and has accumulated $579,000 in earnings this season on the Asian Tour, ranking first in prize money.

Trevor Simsby, who scored 13-under-par 271, finished alone in 3rd place, the best result among foreign players. Amateur Cho Woo-young (21), who was tied for second place, one stroke behind leader Ok Tae-hoon after three rounds, lost one stroke and dropped to 10-under-par 274, tied for 7th place. Wang Jeong-hoon (27), a 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic national representative, tied for 5th place with Gaganjeet Bhullar (India) at 11-under-par 273.

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