▲ Bae Yong-jun, who won the Lexus Masters
Golfer Bae Yong-jun has claimed victory at the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour Lexus Masters, with a total purse of 1 billion won, following a tense battle that went to a second playoff hole.
Entering the final fourth round of the tournament held today (November 1) at the Ocean Course (par 71) of Club72 Country Club in Incheon, Bae failed to protect his four-stroke lead, finishing with a total of 12-under 272 to force a playoff with Jang Yu-bin and Jung Jae-hyun.
After both players scored birdies on the 18th hole (par 5) during the first playoff hole without breaking the tie, Bae captured a birdie on the second playoff hole to edge out Jang and Jung, who both managed only pars.
Securing his third career victory on the KPGA Tour, Bae received the winner's prize of 200 million won.
Having previously won the Honors K Solago CC Han Chang-sang Invitational (2022)—held under the modified Stableford format—and the KPGA Classic (2025), Bae earned his first-ever victory in a stroke-play tournament.
During the fourth round, Bae traded two birdies for two bogeys, failing to lower his score.
Meanwhile, Jang and Jung, who started the final round five strokes behind, closed the gap, setting the stage for a tight contest.
Jang reduced his score by five strokes with one eagle, five birdies, and two bogeys, while Jung also picked up five birdies to fiercely rival Bae.
Jang even briefly took a solo lead by two strokes, but bogeys on the 14th hole (par 4) and 16th hole (par 4) forced him into the playoff.
Jung, who had maintained steady play, missed a 2.7-meter birdie putt on the 18th hole, missing the chance to wrap up the tournament in regulation.
Bae, who nearly missed out on the title, all but secured the championship in the second playoff hole by landing his third shot—from 102 meters out—just 30 centimeters from the hole.
Although Jang and Jung also landed their third shots on the green, both of their birdie putts missed, handing the trophy to Bae.
Though he missed out on the win, Jang moved up from third to second place in the Genesis Grand Prix point standings and defended his position at the top of the season's prize money ranking.
Shin Sang-hoon finished tied for 35th with an even-par 284, retaining his spot at the top of the grand prix points list.
As a result, the winners of major categories such as the season's Grand Prix and the Money Title will be decided at the final tournament of the season, the KPGA Tour Championship, to be held next week.
(Photo: Provided by KPGA, Yonhap News)
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