Choi Ho-seong (50) of the “Fisherman Swing” took the lead with Baek Seok-hyeon (33), who lost 1 stroke by reducing 4 strokes on the moving day of the Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour SK Telecom Open (total prize money of 1.3 billion won).
In the third round held on the 20th at the East-West Course (par 71, 7326 yards) of the Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, Choi Ho-seong tied 5 birdies and 1 bogey to hit a 4-under-par 67, recording an interim total of 11-under 202.
Choi Ho-seong토스카지노, who started in 4th place by cutting 6 strokes the previous day, made a birdie after sending a tee shot 309 yards at the par 5 4th hole, and added a birdie at the 6th hole. In the second half, he birdied the 11th hole and then birdied again on the par 3 14th hole to rise to the lead. He rose to the lead by two strokes with a birdie on the 16th hole, but left a regretful aftertaste when he bogeyed on the 17th hole that followed.
Choi Ho-seong, who first started playing golf in his 20s, won his first win at the Hana Tour Championship, the last tournament of the 2008 season, and his second win at the 2011 Lake Hills Open. After that, he advanced to the Japanese tour and won three victories. At the Kolon Korea Open in 2018, his secret technique to increase the flight distance, the ‘Fisherman Swing’, drew global attention due to ridiculous movements.
If you win this competition, you will set a rare record of winning the championship in 12 years. Even in the third round, his unique swing was still the same. After the game, Choi Ho-seong said, “I want to play like a third round match, and although I am physically exhausted, I have to overcome this situation to win the championship cup.”
Baek Seok-hyun [Photo = KPGA]
Baek Seok-hyun (33), who started with a 3 stroke lead, tied 2 birdies and 3 bogeys to record a 1 over par 72 strokes, allowing a joint lead. He increased the number of strokes by catching a birdie on the 5th hole, but was shaken by bogey on the next two holes. He missed the lead with a bogey on the 14th hole, but returned to the lead by putting one putt intact in the middle distance of the last hole.
When he putts the last two days, he showed a ‘no look’ putt, looking at the hole instead of the ball, but Baek Seok-hyun looked at the ball this day. Having played golf in Thailand and yet to win, he was the first champion group to advance to the final round.
In an interview after the game, Baek Seok-hyun said that he got married in December of last year. “This tournament was the first time I’ve been caught on the air since I got married. Her wife is at home watching the game with her mother-in-law and I’m glad she’s showing me that I’m this kind of person.”
Lee Tae-hoon (Canada) finished 3rd (10 under par) by one stroke from the lead by hitting 1 under par. Lee Tae-hee (37) shot 4 under par 67 strokes, Kim Woo-hyun and Kim Seong-yong, 2 under par Park Gyeong-nam, and Lee Jae-kyung, who cut 1 stroke each, formed a tie for 4th place by 2 strokes at the lead.
Amateur Song Min-hyeok cut 6 strokes to tie for 9th place (7 under par) with Kang Tae-yeong and Lee Kyu-min, while Park Eun-shin lost one stroke and tied for 12th place (6 under par) with Lee Seung-taek and Jeon Seong-hyun.
Veteran Choi Gyeong-ju (53), who finished the first round in 35th place and rose to 30th in the second round, passed the cut 20 times and made 14 consecutive cuts, reduced 4 strokes to defending champion Bio Kim (32) and Tied for 15th (5 under par).
After the game, Choi Kyung-ju said, “It was a well-rounded day overall, but I was a bit disappointed with the 4-5m putt.” said. A come-from-behind victory on the final day will bring a total of 4 wins to this event.
SK Telecom, the organizer of the competition, implemented ‘AI Choi Kyung-ju’ using AI media technology this year. Virtual human Choi Kyung-ju appeared in each round broadcast to deliver information about the tournament and points to watch for each round. By applying various AI-based technologies, SK Telecom is providing a fresh experience for fans watching through TV and mobile broadcasting and fans visiting the event to enjoy the tournament more conveniently and in a fun way.
JTBC Golf and JTBC Golf & Sports will broadcast the SK Telecom Open, a major men’s golf series, live from 10:30 am on the 21st (Sat).