Edven Ing Hawk Hong Claims Victory in Fifth Playoff Hole

Edven Ing Hawk Hong of Malaysia claimed victory at the 2026 KPGA 1st JP Lifestyle Winter Tour, which had a total prize fund of 100 million won.

On January 25, at the Mines Golf & Resort Championship Course (par 71, 6,780 yards) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he recorded a 4-under-par 67 by combining seven birdies and three bogeys in the second round of the tournament finals. After tying for the lead at 9-under-par 133 with Jang Heemin and Wada Shotaro of Japan, he secured the championship with a winning birdie on the fifth playoff hole, which resumed at the 18th hole (par 4). The winner's prize was 15 million won.

Edven Ing Hawk Hong is smiling while holding the trophy immediately after winning the KPGA 1st JP Lifestyle Winter Tour. Photo by KPGA

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In a post-victory interview, Edven Ing Hawk Hong said, "Since it was the first tournament after a month-long break at the end of the season, I was quite worried, but everything went according to plan overall, which allowed me to win. I'm truly delighted to become the first winner of the KPGA Winter Tour held in Malaysia."

Ko Taewan finished fourth with a 6-under-par 136, while Sharifuddin Arifin of Malaysia took fifth place with a 5-under-par 137. Kim Geuntae was sixth with a 4-under-par 138, and Kim Yongtae, Choi Isaac, Jung Dusik, Yang Minhyeok, Lee Donghwan, Park Byungjun, and Lee Seungho all shared seventh place at 3-under-par 139.

This tournament was hosted by JP Lifestyle and organized by KPGT. The qualifiers were held on January 22 and 23, and the winner was determined over two days and two rounds (36 holes) of stroke play starting January 24. A total of 151 players participated in the qualifiers, and 120 advanced to the finals.

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