Kim Seong-hyeon picks up a surprise win at Yangsan

Golf

Published: 09 Aug. 2020, 18:11

Kim Seong-hyeon picks up a surprise win at Yangsan

Kim Seong-hyeon hits a bunker shot during the final round of the 63rd KPGA Championship with A-One Country Club in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, on Sunday. [KPGA]

YANGSAN — Kim Seong-hyeon picked up a thrilling one-shot victory at the 63rd KPGA Championship with A-One Country Club in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, on Sunday.

With four birdies and a bogey, Kim finished one shot ahead of the field to pick up his first major trophy as a non-KPGA Tour player. Although his first birdie was made on the par-4 third, a bogey on the next hole brought his score back to even.

But by making back-to-back birdies on the par-4 eighth and the par-5 ninth, Kim started to make his way up to join the leading pack, which at one point was in a six-way tie. Eventually, Kim broke from the pack to take the sole lead by making a birdie on the par-3 17th.

"[When I made a birdie on the 17th,] I didn't think I would win, but I thought maybe I might have a shot at heading into the sudden-death playoff," Kim said.

Having waited about 30 minutes for the final groups to finish their round, Kim was finally declared the winner of the 63rd KPGA Championship as none of the players managed to add another birdie to extend the tournament into a sudden-death playoff. With a four-round total of five under-par, 275, Kim won his first-ever KPGA Tour event. With a victory, Kim became only the 22nd player on the KPGA Tour history to pick up his first win at the KPGA Championship.

"I still can't believe it, but it feels really great," Kim said. "I was lucky to play Monday […] and to play well [at the actual tournament]. I am very happy."

Kim’s victory came as a huge surprise, as he came a long way to win the KPGA Championship. Since he didn’t have the full-seed on the KPGA Tour, he had to play in the Monday qualifier to play this weekend. He may be the first player on the KPGA Tour to have won the tournament after earning a spot on the field through a Monday qualifier. Making it more impressive, Kim was the last player to qualify, finishing eighth, which was the last qualifying spot.

Looking at his four rounds, Kim was a fighter all throughout. He started the week with a round of even par tied for 23rd. On the second day, Kim boosted his way up to be tied for third with a round of five under par, 65. Although he dropped a few spots to be tied for eighth after the third round with a round of one over par, he successfully made his way up to overcome the deficit.

Kim Seong-hyeon poses for a photo with a trophy after picking up a win at the 63rd KPGA Championship with A-One Country Club. [KPGA]

With a win, the 21-year-old took home 180 million won ($151,000). In addition to the prize money, Kim earned a lot more than that as he didn’t have the full-time seed on the KPGA Tour before the tournament. Due to this, this win allowed him to full-time seed in the KPGA Tour for the next five years, starting from the 2021 to 2025 season, as well as permanent entry onto the KPGA Championships.

Kim also earned a spot onto the PGA Tour’s THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, which is the only PGA Tour event being held in Korea.

"To be honest, I still can't believe it," Kim said. "But I am very thankful."

After Kim made his professional debut in 2017, he played on the Srixon Tour, the second tier on the KPGA Tour, and the AbemaTV Tour, which is the second tier of the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO). He made his debut on the JGTO even before the KPGA Tour, as he earned his JGTO status through the qualifying school for the 2019 season.

Having played in both Korea and Japan, Kim began advancing last year. On the AbemaTV Tour, he picked up his first win at the Heiwa PGM Challenge I Road to Championship in May 2019. Then, this year, Kim picked up his first win on the Srixon Tour in June. He currently leads the money ranking on the Srixon Tour this season.

Despite this season being a shortened season, due to the coronavirus, Kim still managed to pick up two wins. Kim didn't forget to thank his parents.

Defending champion Lee Won-joon of Australia ended up finishing tied for 14th, with a four-round total of even par, at 280. Overnight leader Park struggled on the final day and ended up also finishing tied for 14th. Park shot six over-par, 76, on the final day.

The 2019 KPGA Tour’s rookie of the year shot the daily best score of five under par, 65, to finish tied for second along with Ham Jeong-woo. The two finished the tournament at four under par, 276.

BY KANG YOO-RIM [kang.yoorim@joongang.co.kr]