Descente Korea Match Play... 'Three Days of 36 Holes Each, Intense Schedule'

Opening on the 30th, must endure 7 rounds over four days to win
64 participants, group stage winners advance to round of 16
Two rounds each on group stage first day and two days of knockout tournament

Stamina is the variable.

No matter how good a player's shot and putting are, they cannot guarantee a victory. This is said about the 14th Descente Korea Match Play (total prize money 800 million KRW) of the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour, held over four days starting from the 30th at Kingsdale Country Club (par 72, 7,334 yards) in Chungju, Chungbuk. Without the stamina and concentration to play seven rounds over four days, including 36 holes on three of those days, winning is impossible. The winner's prize money is 160 million KRW.

This tournament is the only match play format on the KPGA Tour. Although 64 players participate, the schedule is tight because the winner is decided through one-on-one matches. First, players must pass the group stage. The 64 players are divided into 16 groups of four, and each player competes once against the other three players in their group. A win earns 2 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss no points. While group stages are generally held over five days to prevent the elimination of top-ranked players, this time it is only four days. The golf course's 'circumstances' have led to this intense schedule.

In the group stage, the player with the highest points in each group advances to the round of 16. If two or more players are tied, a sudden death playoff determines who advances. A unique aspect is that the first and second group matches are played on the same day, the 30th. Players must play around 36 holes. On the 31st, when the third group match is held, if a playoff is needed, players must play more than 18 holes.

The knockout rounds are also demanding. The round of 16 and quarterfinals are both played on June 1. If a player reaches the semifinals, they must play the semifinals and either the final or the third-place match on June 2, split between morning and afternoon. Players endure more than 36 holes over three days and seven rounds over four days. Last year's champion, Lee Jaekyung, is challenging to defend his first title. He will compete in the group stage against Hwang Inchun, Yoon Sungho, and Jung Hanmil. He said, "Since I might have to play two matches in one day, I will focus on strengthening my stamina before the tournament starts."

Last year's runner-up, Bae Yongjun, is aiming for revenge. Prize money ranking leader Kim Hongtaek and Genesis Award points leader Lee Junghwan are also targeting the 'Match King' title. Go Guntaek, who won the KPGA Founders Cup last month and secured a spot in the Open Championship by finishing runner-up at the Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) on the 26th, is also participating. The performance of Kang Kyungnam, the inaugural champion in 2010, is also a point of interest.

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