'Prize Money Leader' Kim Mingyu "Excited with 8 Under Par"... Han Seungsu Leads with 9 Under Par

Kim Min-gyu and Kim Young-soo tied for 2nd place on the first day of the LG Signature Players Championship final round
Defending champion Kim Bi-o, Seo Yo-seop, and Hwang Jung-gon tied for 16th place, Park Eun-shin tied for 26th place

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Top prize money earner’ Kim Min-gyu (21) has made a refreshing start.

Kim Min-gyu is teeing off at the 9th hole on the first day of the LG Signature Players Championship. Photo by KPGA

On the 10th, Kim Min-gyu shot an 8-under-par 64 on the first day of the LG Signature Players Championship (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW), the final event of the 2022 Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour season, held at Seowon Valley Golf Club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 7,042 yards), placing him in a tie for 2nd place. Han Seung-soo (USA) topped the leaderboard with 9-under-par 63, while Kim Young-soo (33) and Jung Tae-yang (22) joined the group tied for 2nd.

Kim Min-gyu recorded one eagle and six birdies. He made consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2, an eagle on hole 3 (par 5), and another birdie on hole 7 (par 5), reducing five strokes in the front nine. In the back nine, he finished the round pleasantly with consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11 and a birdie on hole 15 (par 4). He is one stroke behind the leader and has a chance for his second career win five months after winning the ‘national title’ at the Kolon 64th Korean Open in June. Kim Min-gyu said, "I’m happy to have reduced eight strokes on the first day," adding, "I will play the remaining three days without thinking about the prize money leader."

Han Seung-soo showcased perfect play with nine birdies and no bogeys. This tied the course record set last year by Kim Bi-o (32). Han Seung-soo won his first Korean Tour title at this tournament held here in 2020. "My shots have been coming back recently," said Han Seung-soo. "Since this course holds good memories for me, both my shots and putts went well," he added, expressing his determination: "I want to use this tournament as a stepping stone to make a leap forward by achieving a good result."

Kim Young-soo (33), who will become the Genesis Award winner if he wins this tournament, also chased the leader by one stroke. Kim Bi-o, aiming for a second consecutive win, recorded one eagle, three birdies, and one bogey. Along with Seo Yo-seop (26), the current points leader, and Hwang Jung-gon (30), they are tied for 16th place (4-under-par 68). Park Eun-shin (32), last week’s winner of the Golfzon-Doray Open, is tied for 26th place (3-under-par 69).

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