Kim Hanbyeol "Leading for Two Days"... Park Sanghyun "Did You See the 8-Under Par?"

Kim Hanbyeol DGB Financial Group Open 2R 5 Under Par
Moon Doyeop 2nd Place 3 Shots Behind, Defending Champion Park Sanghyun and Bae Yongjun Tied 3rd
Choi Jinho Tied 26th, Seo Yoseop Tied 49th Advance

Kim Hanbyeol is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the second day of the DGB Financial Group Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Kim Han-byeol (26) is on a thrilling winning streak.

On the 23rd, at the DGB Financial Group Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), part of the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour held at the East Course of Gyeongbuk Chilgok Palm Hills Country Club (Par 71, 7,215 yards), Kim Han-byeol shot 5-under par on the second day, maintaining her lead for the second consecutive day with a total of 15-under par 127. Moon Do-yeop (31) reduced 6 strokes to rise to second place (12-under par 130), and defending champion Park Sang-hyun (39) fired an 8-under par round to share third place (11-under par 131), eyeing a consecutive victory.

Starting with a one-stroke lead, Kim Han-byeol recorded 7 birdies and 2 bogeys. She showcased perfect play with three consecutive birdies on holes 1, 2, and 3, and added two more birdies on holes 6 and 10, before being checked by bogeys on holes 12 and 14. However, she added birdies on holes 15 and 18 to finish the round on a high note. Kim Han-byeol extended her lead to three strokes, seizing a great opportunity for her fourth career win since her 2021 Yamaha OwnersK Open victory.

"I played comfortably after making three consecutive birdies early on," said Kim Han-byeol. "In the latter half, I felt physically strained and my lower back ached, but I was happy to finish with a birdie on the last hole." She added with a smile, "I’m not the type to play exactly according to pre-game plans. Above all, putting is crucial. I think precise putting that can save par in critical situations will determine the results."

Park Sang-hyun swept up 9 birdies (and 1 bogey). Bae Yong-jun (22) also added 2-under par to join the group tied for third place. Last week’s Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open winner Choi Jin-ho (38) reduced 2 strokes to sit tied for 26th place (4-under par 138). Two-time champion Seo Yo-seop (26) recorded 5 birdies and 2 bogeys, jumping 23 spots from 72nd place the previous day to tie for 49th place (2-under par 140).

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