National Player Jang Yubin 'Star is Born'... "I am a Woods Fan"

KPGA Gunsan CC Open Playoff Victory
Second Win of the Season and 11th Amateur Title Overall
"Aiming for Hangzhou Gold and a Competitive Spirit Like Woods"

A new star is born.

National representative Jang Yu-bin has taken over the professional tournament. On the 27th, at the Korean Tour KPGA Gunsan CC Open (total prize money 500 million won) held at the Jeonbuk Gunsan CC Tournament Course (par 72, 7,442 yards), he shot 7 under par in the 4th round to tie with Jeon Ga-ram at 20 under par 268 strokes, then recorded a ‘winning bogey’ on the first hole of the resumed playoff at the 18th hole (par 4). He reached the top in just 15 Korean Tour events.

An amateur winning on the Korean Tour is the second of the season and the 11th overall, coming four months after Jo Woo-young’s victory at the Golfzon Open in April. It is also the first amateur championship at the Gunsan CC Open in 10 years since Lee Soo-min in 2013. Jang Yu-bin said, "I am happy to win at a tournament I never expected," adding, "As soon as I won, the first people who came to mind were my family and those who supported me. I thought most of my father who is in heaven," sharing his winning thoughts.

Jang Yubin is cheering after making a 'chip-in eagle' on the 16th hole of the 4th round at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open.
[Photo by KPGA]

Jang Yu-bin was born in June 2002. He started golf at the age of seven at his grandmother’s suggestion. He gained attention by winning a gold medal at the 100th National Sports Festival in 2019. Since then, he swept the Korea Golf Association President’s Cup Amateur Golf Championship, the World University Golf Championship, and the Songam Cup Amateur Golf Championship. He has been active as the national team ace since 2021. This year, he also secured two wins on the KPGA Srixon (2nd division) Tour, proving his ability to compete on the professional stage.

Jang Yu-bin was selected along with Jo Woo-young for next month’s Hangzhou Asian Games. Among professional players, Im Sung-jae and Kim Si-woo, who play on the PGA Tour, were selected based on world rankings. He said, "All the Asian Games team players are very skilled seniors," adding, "Since physical strength is crucial to performing well, I plan to prepare thoroughly by managing my body. I will use this victory as a stepping stone to achieve good results at the Asian Games," expressing his confidence.

Jang Yu-bin’s role model is the ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (USA). He said, "I like Woods because he has star quality." On this day, he made an eagle by holing his third shot near the green on the 16th hole (par 5). "I won by taking the match to a playoff with great shots and putts in a dramatic situation," he said with a smile, "I think fans saw my ‘star quality’ through this tournament."

Jang Yu-bin will start a new golf life after the Asian Games. He stated, "Next year, my goal is to participate mainly in many KPGA Korean Tour events and even win multiple titles," adding, "Before entering the PGA Tour, which is my ultimate golf goal, I want to challenge various tours and gain a lot of experience," revealing his aspirations.

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