D-Open Runner-up Kim Juhyung "I Could Have Withdrawn"

Ankle Injury Risk at Accommodation Immediately After 1R
Endured Pain to Achieve Best Ever Korean Record
"Forgot Pain with Adrenaline"

It is a blessing in disguise.

This is said about Kim Joo-hyung, the ‘PGA crowd-puller’. He overcame an ankle injury to finish tied for 2nd place at the 151st Open Championship (total prize money $16.5 million), the oldest major tournament. This is the best performance ever by a Korean at the Open, surpassing K.J. Choi’s tied 8th place in 2007. At 21 years old, Kim Joo-hyung became the youngest player in 47 years since Seve Ballesteros (Spain) in 1976 to finish 2nd or better at the Open. Ballesteros, who passed away in 2011, was born in 1957 and was 19 years old when he was runner-up in this tournament in 1976.

Kim Juhyung is reading the slope of the green on the 18th hole of the 4th round at the 151st Open, the oldest major tournament. [Hoylake (England) = AFP·Yonhap News]

Despite the adverse condition of bruising his ankle after slipping at his accommodation following the first round, Kim Joo-hyung achieved runner-up in a major tournament. He explained the reason for pushing through, saying, "Actually, I could have withdrawn in the 2nd or 3rd round due to ankle pain, but playing on such a big stage I had always dreamed of was very meaningful." He added, "I felt better than yesterday," and said, "Adrenaline from performing well in a major helped me forget the pain and focus on the game."

Kim Joo-hyung recently achieved back-to-back top 10 finishes in the last two tournaments, including a tied 6th place at last week’s PGA Tour Genesis Scottish Open. Following a tied 8th place at the previous major, the US Open, he has now entered the top 10 in two consecutive majors. Kim received $1,084,625 (about 1.39 billion KRW) as the runner-up prize money for this tournament. His total earnings this season amount to $5,624,032 (about 7.2 billion KRW). Kim said, "I am very satisfied," adding, "Compared to last year when I debuted on tour, expectations have grown, and although there were times of disappointment, I still did my best."

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