'Tragic Prodigy' Kim Young-soo Finally Smiles Brightly After 11 Years

Won KPGA Genesis Championship by one stroke over Ham Jung-woo
Gained attention by sweeping all KGA-hosted tournaments as an amateur
Secured 2-year tour card... Earned spots in CJ Cup, Genesis Invitational, and Genesis Scottish Open

Kim Young-su, who won the Genesis Championship on the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour, is holding up the winner's trophy immediately after the award ceremony. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] Kim Youngsoo (33), who was called a 'golf prodigy' during his amateur days, celebrated his first victory in 11 years since his debut at the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour Genesis Championship (total prize money 1.5 billion KRW).

On the 9th, Kim Youngsoo scored 3-under-par 69 with 5 birdies and 2 bogeys in the final 4th round held at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Songdo, Incheon (par 72, 7,438 yards).

With a final total of 6-under-par 282, Kim Youngsoo narrowly edged out Ham Jeongwoo (28, 5-under-par 283) to claim the championship. This was his first win in his 107th tournament since joining the KPGA Korean Tour in 2011.

Kim Youngsoo first made his name known as a 'golf prodigy.' In 2007, when he was a senior in high school, he won the Heo Jeonggu Cup Korean Amateur Golf Championship. That same year, he swept all three tournaments hosted by the Korea Golf Association (KGA), including the Songam Cup and Ikseong Cup, establishing himself as the strongest amateur.

Although he started off with a brilliant reputation, the professional world was not easy. He entered the KPGA first division tour in 2011 but his results hovered around 100th place. After completing his military service, he played on the second division tour.

He returned to the first division tour in 2019, but still did not secure a win. His best results were three third-place finishes, including last month’s Bizplay Electronic Times Open.

The hardship of going without a title lasted long, but this victory allowed him to grasp many of the dreams he had been pursuing.

With this tournament win, Kim Youngsoo earned 300 million KRW in prize money. The Genesis Championship is the highest prize money event on the Korean Tour. Before this tournament, his total earnings from 18 events this season were only 197.27 million KRW.

He also secured tour cards for two years and earned a spot in this month’s CJ Cup. Furthermore, he will be able to participate in the Genesis Invitational in February next year and the Genesis Scottish Open in July.

On the 9th, Kim Young-su, who won the Genesis Championship of the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour, is receiving congratulations from his colleagues. / Photo by KPGA

Starting the final round tied for 5th place, Kim Youngsoo showed excellent form from the beginning. He made consecutive birdies on the 2nd hole (par 4) and 3rd hole (par 5), then reduced one more stroke on the 7th hole (par 5), recording 3-under-par in the front nine and taking the solo lead.

In the back nine, although he made a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4), he secured consecutive birdies on the 14th hole (par 4) and 15th hole (par 5) to maintain his lead.

There was also a crisis. On the 17th hole (par 3), his tee shot landed in a bunker, and his bunker shot missed the hole by a wide margin, resulting in a bogey after a tough struggle. The gap with second-place Ham Jeongwoo narrowed to one stroke.

On the final 18th hole (par 5), his third shot went off target, making it seem like the long wait for a title would continue. However, after his approach shot landed within 1 meter of the hole, he made par and finally broke his title drought.

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