▲ Jeong Jae-hoon successfully lands an eagle.
Jeong Jae-hoon, who leads the prize money rankings on the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) second-tier tour, put on a stellar performance on the first day of the Donga Membership Group Open, a regular tour event signaling the start of the second half of the season.
Playing in the first round of the tournament held on the Sol Course at Solago Country Club in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, Jeong carded a 10-under-par 62, firing one eagle and eight birdies.
Jeong sits atop both the prize money and integrated points rankings, fueled by strong performances this season, including a victory at the 10th tournament of the David Golf Tour.
Earning a spot in the Donga Membership Group Open thanks to these results, Jeong previously competed in the KPGA Founders Cup last May, finishing tied for 37th.
Making his second regular tour appearance of the season, Jeong charged into the lead group by racking up five birdies on the front nine alone.
On the par-5 11th hole, he reached the green with his second shot and successfully sank a 19-meter long-range putt for an eagle.
Jeong, who returned to action only in June of last year after being unable to hold a golf club for about nine months due to a wrist injury, said, "I came into this tournament with the goal of making the cut, but my iron shots were good so I played without any major crises."
Park Jung-hoon, who debuted on the KPGA Tour this year, shot a bogey-free 9-under-par 63 with nine birdies, tying for second place alongside Kim Seung-min and Choi Seung-bin and chasing the leader by one stroke.
Jang Yu-bin, who secured the sole two wins of this season, carded a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 with six birdies to sit tied for eighth.
(Photo provided by KPGA, Yonhap News)
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