‘Asia Economy Honam·Jeje CHALLENGE 54 Ironman Golf’ Inaugural Champion Go Dong-yeong

A 9-Stroke Comeback in the Final Round... Victory Decided by Endurance

World's First Official 'Three Rounds a Day' Match... Introducing New Fun and Attractions

The inaugural champion of the world’s first-ever 54-hole stroke play tournament played over three rounds in a single day, the ‘2023 Asia Economy Honam·Jeje CHALLENGE 54 Ironman Golf Tournament,’ was Ko Dong-young (41), who recorded a total score of 231.

The tournament was hosted by the Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters and organized by Jeje Band, with sponsorship from Jeju Province, the Korea Mid-Amateur Golf Federation, and the Jeju Golf Association. It was held as an official event under R&A rules on the 7th at Golfzon County Ora CC East and West courses.

The inaugural champion Ko Dong-yeong (right in the photo) of the '2023 Asia Economy Honam·Jeje CHALLENGE 54 Ironman Golf Tournament,' the world's first event conducted as a 54-hole stroke play over 3 rounds in one day, is taking a commemorative photo with Lee Sang-min, head of the Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters.
[Photo by Park Chang-won]

To complete three rounds in one day, 36 participants in nine groups teed off simultaneously at 5:30 a.m. and battled for 14 hours until 7:30 p.m.

Ko Dong-young and Kim Ho-jin (48) finished tied with a total score of 231, but according to the tournament rule of determining the ranking by back count without a playoff, Ko, who shot even par in the final round, claimed the championship medal.

Ko Dong-young overcame a 9-stroke deficit in the final round to stage a dramatic comeback, adding to the thrill of a last-minute turnaround unique to ironman golf. Ko is known as a golf expert, representing mid-amateur high school alumni players within Jeju Province.

After shooting 82 in the first round and ranking 21st, Ko improved his position by 14 places with a 77 in the second round to finish 7th. In the final round, he shot 72 to overtake Kim Ho-jin, who had maintained the lead through the first two rounds, and claimed first place.

Runner-up Kim Ho-jin recorded 70 in the first round and 80 in the second, maintaining the lead until the final round, but lost focus in the last round and conceded the championship to Ko Dong-young.

Kim Ho-jin, a former champion of the Cobra Golf Mania Club, commented on the results: “It rained in the first round, so Jeju’s unique optical illusions didn’t come into play, allowing me to putt confidently and achieve a good score. As the weather cleared, the green conditions changed, and as the rounds progressed, my stamina and concentration faltered, which led to losing the championship.”

The inaugural champion Ko Dong-young said, “My newly changed swing, which increased distance, faltered in the first round, resulting in a poor score. From the second round, I stopped using the driver and focused on accuracy by teeing off with woods and irons, which seemed to be effective until the end.”

Regarding the secret to shooting even par alone in the third round while most participants collapsed from extreme fatigue, he explained, “Everyone was tired in the third round, and I was also exhausted, so I simplified my thoughts to focus only on the ball and aimed to send it to the center of the fairway and green.”

Additionally, Seo Ho-seok (41), a professional affiliated with Mirae Practice Range with experience on the Korean Tour, participated in this tournament, providing an opportunity to observe the skill gap between mid-amateur players and professionals.

Seo recorded 65 in the first round, 71 in the second, and 75 in the third, finishing with a total of 211, showing a 20-stroke difference from the winner Ko, clearly demonstrating the skill gap between professionals and amateurs in both regular and ironman golf tournaments.

Meanwhile, the participants unanimously expressed their gratitude to the tournament organizers for providing an opportunity to enjoy golf in a different way, and based on this year’s experience, they vowed to challenge for the championship again next year.

Winners of the '2023 Asia Economy Honam·Jeje CHALLENGE 54 Triathlon Golf Tournament.' From the left, runner-up Kim Hojin, champion Go Dongyoung, and third place Lee Gwangdeok.
[Photo by Park Changwon]

Jeju = Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won yjm3070@asiae.co.kr

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