Slugger Kim Bong-seop "Leading for Two Days"... Prize Money Leader Kim Joo-hyung 'Cut Off'

Published 09 Jul.2021 19:55(KST)

Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open Day 2: Adds 5 Under Par to Lead by 3 Strokes, Yoon Jeong-ho and 3 Others Tied for 2nd in Chase

Kim Bong-seop is teeing off at the 16th hole on the second day of the Woosung General Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ‘Korea’s DeChambeau’ Kim Bong-seop (38) dominated the top of the leaderboard for the second consecutive day.

On the 9th, at Aramir Golf Course in Changwon City, Gyeongnam (Par 71, 7,206 yards), the second day of the KPGA Korean Tour Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open (total prize money 500 million KRW) ended with Kim adding 5 under par, taking a 3-stroke lead (13 under par, 129 strokes). Yoon Jeong-ho (30), Lee Jeong-hwan (30), Yoon Sang-pil (23, Zenith Construction), and Choi Jang-ho (26) are tied for 2nd place (10 under par, 132 strokes), while Park Sang-hyun (38, Dong-A Pharmaceutical) is in a tie for 6th place (9 under par, 133 strokes), continuing the chase.

Kim Bong-seop showed strong momentum with 8 under par on the first day and again recorded 6 birdies and 1 bogey today. He made birdies on holes 1, 4, and 6, and on the 10th hole (par 4), he notably followed a maximum 314.0-yard drive with a 32.3-yard chip shot that landed close to the hole, easily securing a birdie. He also made a chip shot birdie on the 13th hole (par 3). Although he had his only bogey on the 15th hole (par 3), he recovered with a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5). Having debuted in 2008, this is a golden opportunity for him to achieve his ‘first victory in 13 years.’ He expressed confidence, saying, "My putting feel is good," and added, "I will definitely win."

The ‘cut off’ of prize money ranking No. 1 Kim Joo-hyung (19, CJ Logistics) was unexpected. After struggling with 1 over par on the first day, he posted 4 under par today but remained tied for 66th place (3 under par, 139 strokes). Since last year, he has missed the cut or finished outside the top 10 only three times in 10 events, making this a notable topic off the course. Ultimately, heavy rain just before the tournament held him back. He commented, "This is the first time I’ve played on such slow greens," and added, "There were even many spike marks, which made my mind complicated."