▲ Jung Chan-min teeing off
Jung Chan-min has made a strong start in his quest for his first win of the season, taking the lead on the opening day of the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour The Charity Classic, which features a winner's prize of 1 billion won.
Playing in the first round of the tournament held at the Valley and Seowon courses (par 72) of Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on the 15th, Jung carded one eagle, eight birdies, and a single bogey for a 9-under-par 63. He finished one stroke ahead of Kim Yeon-seob (8-under 64) to claim the top spot.
Shin Sang-hoon, Lee Dong-min, Moon Dong-hyeon, and Cho Woo-young (all at 7-under 65) are tied for third, two strokes behind Jung.
Jung, who has two career KPGA wins, has been unable to add to his victory tally this season, having finished as the runner-up twice (at the KPGA Founders Cup in May and the Golfzon Open in September).
In particular, Jung expressed regret over the Golfzon Open, where he held the solo lead through the 16th hole of the final round before being caught by Shin Sang-hoon and losing in a playoff, letting slip an opportunity for his first victory of the season and his third career title.
With no issues securing his ticket to the Genesis Championship scheduled for the 22nd to 25th as the fourth-ranked player in the Genesis Points standings this season (3,744.77 points, reserved for the top 36 in Genesis Points), Jung flashed his exceptional shot-making skills right from the first day.
Starting on the 10th hole (par 4), Jung immediately picked up a birdie on his first hole, followed it up with consecutive birdies on the 11th hole (par 5), and smoothly added another birdie on the 14th hole (par 4).
The long-hitter successfully reached the 16th hole (par 5) in two and sank a 3.8-meter eagle putt to build momentum.
Although he recorded his first bogey on the 17th hole (par 3), he bounced back immediately with a birdie on the 18th hole (par 4), shaving 5 strokes off his score on the front nine alone.
Jung continued his flawless play on the back nine, adding four birdies without a single bogey to put on a dazzling display with a 9-under round on day one.
Jung said, "The course setup was tricky, but I had some luck, and my shots went better than expected, resulting in a good score." He added, "I cannot let my guard down. Today and for the remaining three days, I plan to focus on playing my own game, sticking to my rhythm and what I discuss with my caddie."
With 1,000 Genesis Points on the line for the winner, this tournament serves as the final stage to determine the participants for the Genesis Championship, making the competition fiercer than ever.
Kim Yeon-seob (47th in Genesis Points), who is still seeking his first win with a tie for third as his best finish this year, carded nine birdies and one bogey for an 8-under 64 to rank second, keeping his hopes alive for a spot in the Genesis Championship. Meanwhile, Lee Dong-min and Cho Woo-young, ranked 42nd and 34th in Genesis Points respectively, also played well, finishing the opening day tied for third at 7-under 65.
(Photo provided by KPGA, Yonhap News)
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