Lee Kyung-hoon and Kim Sung-hyun "Seize the Last Chance at the Masters"

Challenge for Masters Entry at Texas Open with Ballet
Winning Secures Final Ticket to Augusta National
World Ranking 42nd Byeong-Hun An Practically 'Reserved'

For players who have not yet secured a ticket to the Masters, this is the last chance. On the 4th (local time), the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open (total prize money $9.2 million) will be held at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course (par 72, 7,438 yards) in San Antonio, Texas, USA. It is a fierce battleground. This tournament takes place just before the 'Masters showdown.' The winner will be dramatically invited to Augusta National Golf Club.

Lee Kyung-hoon

Korea will have four players participating in the Masters. Including 2020 runner-up Im Sung-jae, Kim Joo-hyung and Kim Si-woo have already secured their tickets. An Byeong-hun, ranked 42nd in the world, has practically reserved his spot on the Masters train, which is given to players ranked within the top 50. The remaining players are Lee Kyoung-hoon, ranked 89th, and Kim Sung-hyun, ranked 132nd. The only way to enter one of the 20 categories eligible for the Masters is by champion qualification.

Lee Kyoung-hoon is the player who achieved back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022 at the PGA Tour AT&T Byron Nelson. This season, he has participated in nine tournaments and entered the 'top 10' twice. In the last four tournaments, he performed relatively well with a tie for 4th and a tie for 9th place. In the previous tournament, the Texas Children's Houston Open, he finished tied for 31st. Overall data is stable. If his play around the greens and putting improve, he could cause an upset.

Kim Seong-hyun

Kim Sung-hyun, in his second year on the PGA Tour, has struggled somewhat this year. He has no 'top 10' finishes in 11 tournaments. He has shown inconsistent form, missing the cut four times. His personal best was a tie for 28th at the WM Phoenix Open in March. At the Texas Children's Houston Open, his shot-making gradually improved as he posted under par for two days.

Besides these two players, Kim Joo-hyung and An Byeong-hun will participate to sharpen their competitive edge. Im Sung-jae and Kim Si-woo will skip this tournament ahead of the Masters. They are dreaming of becoming the first Korean to win through practice rounds at Augusta National Golf Club. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), ranked 2nd in the world, is a strong favorite to win. If he wins this year's Masters, he will achieve the 'Career Grand Slam' by winning all four major championships.

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