Ham Jung-woo "Feeling that my skills are gradually improving"
Tied 36th at the Conperitour Panama Championship
Back-to-Back Main Tournament Qualifications Show 'Quick Adaptability'
Set to Compete in the Astara Golf Championship on the 8th
Last year's Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour Player of the Year, Ham Jeong-woo, is quickly adapting to the American stage.
On the 4th (local time), at the Panama City Club in Panama (par 70, 7,534 yards), Ham finished the final round of the 2024 PGA Korn Ferry Tour Panama Championship (total prize money $1 million) with an even-par score, rising to a tie for 36th place (2-over-par 282). Following his tie for 57th place at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic that ended on the 26th of last month, this marks his second consecutive tournament making the cut. No Seung-yeol also joined this group.
Ham Jeong-woo exchanged 4 birdies and 4 bogeys. After struggling and losing 2 strokes over 11 holes, he showed resilience by making 2 birdies on holes 12 and 17. As the 2023 Genesis Player of the Year, Ham participated in last year's PGA Tour Q-School final. He finished tied for 45th, earning the right to compete in 8 Korn Ferry Tour events this season.
In a post-round interview, Ham said, "The second round is the most memorable. I had to save par or better on the last two holes to make the cut." He added, "Especially on the 18th hole (par 4), my tee shot hit a tree branch and put me in trouble, but with the mindset of 'it would be embarrassing to miss the cut,' I managed the rest of the round. Fortunately, I saved par and was able to advance to the final rounds." He continued, "I am adapting to the new course and environment. Although I haven't broken into the top ranks yet, I feel my skills are steadily improving. I am confident that I will achieve better results in the next tournament and finish under par."
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Isaiah Salinda (USA) surged with a 5-under-par round to claim a commanding 8-stroke victory (12-under-par 268). He won the title for the first time in his career and earned $180,000 (approximately 240 million KRW) in prize money. Trent Phillips (USA) and two others tied for second place at 4-under-par 276. The Korn Ferry Tour continues with the Astara Golf Championship in Bogota, Colombia, from the 8th to the 11th.
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