Choi Seungbin Fires 5-Under to Shine at KPGA Tour Season Opener

DB Insurance Promy Open Round 1 Leaders

Jeon Garam, Choi Chan, and Lee Sangyeob Join the Leading Group

Kim Sunghyun in Fifth, Kim Baekjun and Wang Junghoon Tied for 14th

Choi Seungbin made a promising start at the opening event of the 2026 season on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour.

On April 16, at La Vie Est Belle Golf & Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 7,254 yards), he carded seven birdies and two bogeys for a 5-under-par 67 in the first round of the 21st DB Insurance Promy Open on the KPGA Tour, which has a total prize purse of 1 billion won. He finished the round tied for the lead with Jeon Garam, Choi Chan, and Lee Sangyeob. Last October, Choi Seungbin achieved his second career victory on the KPGA Tour at The Charity Classic.

Choi Seungbin is teeing off at the 5th hole during the first round of the DB Insurance Promy Open. Photo by KPGA

Kim Sunghyun, who competed on the PGA Tour until earlier this month, is in a tie for fifth place at 4-under-par 68, just one shot behind the leaders. After finishing tied for 21st at the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open earlier this month, Kim returned to Korea and plans to play on the KPGA Tour for the time being. He said, "I came back to Korea due to my military obligations, but since I can return to the PGA Tour, I don't feel disappointed. In fact, I'm happy to have more time to spend with my family."

Kang Kyungnam, Heo Inhoe, and Jung Chanmin are also in the group tied for fifth place. Last year's winner of this tournament, Kim Baekjun, is tied for 14th at 3-under-par 69, along with Wang Junghoon, Lee Hyeongjun, and amateur Son Je-i. Jang Yubin, who returned to the KPGA Tour this year after playing on the LIV Golf circuit last year, finished the first round tied for 31st at 2-under-par 70. Ok Taehun, Kim Hongtaek, and others are also tied for 31st.

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