"Waited 64 Months" Choi Jin-ho Cheers for 8th Korean Tour Win

Choi Jin-ho Wins Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open by One Stroke
Jeon Seong-hyun 2nd, Kim Young-soo and Jo Min-gyu Tied for 3rd
'Youngest to Make the Cut' Ahn Seong-hyun Tied for 28th

Choi Jin-ho is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the final day of the Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Veteran Choi Jin-ho (38) claimed his 8th career win on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour after 64 months.

On the 18th, at the final 3rd round of the Bizplay Electronic Times Open (total prize money 700 million KRW) held at Blackstone Jeju South and East Courses (par 72, 7,385 yards) in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, Choi Jin-ho recorded 4 birdies and 1 bogey for a 3-under-par 69. With a final total of 12-under-par 204, he edged out Jeon Seong-hyun (29) by one stroke, securing the winner's trophy for the first time in 5 years. The winner's prize money was 140 million KRW. Originally scheduled as a 72-hole, 4-round tournament, it was shortened to 54 holes and 3 rounds due to severe weather canceling the first day.

Choi Jin-ho won his first title at the 2006 Vivaldi Park Open and also earned the Rookie of the Year Award (Myungchul Award) that year. His most recent victory before this was at the SK Telecom Open in May 2017. This season, prior to this tournament, he had participated in 14 events, making the top 10 only twice.

Jeon Seong-hyun, who was co-leader the previous day, swallowed his disappointment. He recorded 3 birdies and 1 bogey in the front nine, reducing his score by 2 strokes. However, he was unable to lower his score further as he played steady pars in the back nine. Since his Korean Tour debut in 2016, he was unable to fulfill his dream of his first win.

Kim Young-soo (33) and Cho Min-kyu (34) tied for 3rd place (9-under-par 207), while Park Sung-guk (34) finished 5th (8-under-par 208).

13-year-old Ahn Seong-hyun, who set the record as the youngest to advance to the finals (13 years and 4 months), finished the tournament tied for 28th place (2-under-par 214) with an even-par round. This group also included Moon Kyung-jun (42), who made an albatross the previous day, and defending champion Kang Kyung-nam (39).

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