Mundo-yeop "Opening Game 2 Consecutive Losses GO~"... Korean Tour "Starting the 2022 Season with the Gallery"

Published 12 Apr.2022 17:53(KST)

DB Insurance Promi Open Opens on the 14th, 'Number 2' Seo Yoseop and 'Order of Merit' 2nd Place Park Sanghyun Compete for Victory

Mundo-yeop competed to defend his title at the DB Insurance Promy Open, the opening event of the 2022 Korean Tour season. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "The cloud gallery is coming back."

It is Moon Do-yeop's (31, DB Insurance) "march for a second consecutive victory in the opening tournament." The Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour DB Insurance Pro-Am Open (total prize money 700 million won), held on the 14th at the Old Course of La Vie Belle Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 71, 7,148 yards), is a fierce battleground. Last year's money leader Kim Joo-hyung (20) participated in the Asian Tour, and 'number 2' Seo Yo-seop (26, DB Insurance), 'Order of Merit' second place Park Sang-hyun (39, Dong-A Pharmaceutical), and third place Ham Jeong-woo (28, Hana Financial Group) are aiming to seize the initiative.

Moon Do-yeop recorded 1-under par on the final day last year at Oak Valley Golf Club's Oak and Maple Courses in Wonju, Gangwon Province (par 72, 7,147 yards), achieving a commanding 3-stroke victory (11-under par 277). It also held special significance as a victory for his affiliated company. Although the course has changed, he remains the "top favorite" to win. This tournament is especially notable as it allows galleries for the first time in two years and six months since the Genesis Championship in October 2019. He expressed confidence, saying his "condition is good."

Seo Yo-seop won two titles last year, the KPGA Championship in August and the Shinhan Donghae Open in September, both against top-tier competition. Finishing tied for 4th in the November 2021 season finale LG Signature Players Championship, he lost the 'number 1' spot to Kim Joo-hyung, which remains a regret. He said, "Every time I hear the cheers of the gallery, a thrill runs through my body," and added, "Just thinking about playing in front of fans already excites me," showing his fighting spirit.

Past champions Heo In-hoe (35, Kumkang Housing), Choi Jin-ho (38), and Lee Tae-hoon (Canada) have joined the competition for the title, and Genesis Championship winner Lee Jae-kyung (23) is a dark horse. The competition among top rookies entering the tour this year is also intense. National team member Bae Yong-jun (22) has already successfully landed with two third-place finishes and three top-10 finishes in seven Korean Tour events as a recommended player. Jeong Chan-min (23), ranked first on the Srixon (2nd division) Tour, will make his debut.