"A remarkable feat just 10 months after turning pro" — A 19-year-old rookie takes first place out of 120! Park Jae-min wins KPGA Qualifying Tournament in a dramatic playoff... Secures entry to the KPGA Tour

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A 19-year-old rookie rose to the top after overcoming competition from 120 players. Park Jae-min (19), who turned professional this year, claimed victory in a tight playoff at the final qualifying tournament for a 2027 season Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Tour card.

In the final fourth round of the "2027 KPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) Final Stage" held on the 13th at the Gunsan Country Club Tournament Course (par 72, 7,640 yards) in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, Park recorded one eagle, five birdies, and four bogeys for a score of three under par, 69.

Finishing with a total of 12 under par, 276, Park ended the regulation rounds tied for the lead with Cha Woo-jin (23). The outcome was decided on the first playoff hole. As Cha made a bogey, Park successfully sank his par putt to secure the win.

This tournament served as the final hurdle for securing a 2027 season KPGA Tour card. A total of 120 players competed over four days starting from the 10th in a 72-hole stroke play format. Park earned the QT winner's seed along with a prize money of 5 million won.

The achievement is all the more meaningful given that he stepped onto the professional stage for the first time this year. After joining as a KPGA pro (associate member) in January, Park obtained Tour Pro (full member) status in April. He gained experience by competing in nine events on the KPGA David Golf Tour, the second-tier tour, this year.

In particular, he finished tied for second at the 10th event and tied for third at the 20th event, which was the season finale, entering the top five twice. Although he missed the cut at the first-tier tour KPGA Gyeongbuk Open, where he competed as a recommended player, his victory in this qualifying tournament sets him up to launch a full-scale challenge on the regular tour next year.

"I am truly happy to have won at the most important KPGA Tour qualifying tournament, which also serves as the season finale," Park said in his post-victory remarks. He added, "I am grateful to Pro Lee Sang-hoon and the officials at Lee Sang-hoon Academy for their hard work with me throughout this season. I also want to tell my parents, who are always the first to think of me, that I love them."

He did not forget to express his gratitude by individually mentioning those who had helped him along the way. Park conveyed his thanks to Callaway, Kyung Hee University, Pros Kim Gyu-tae and Oh Byung-nam, as well as Yuseong Country Club, the Daejeon Metropolitan Golf Association, the KT&G Scholarship Foundation, the Yuwon Golf Foundation, Seoul Country Club, and others who have supported him since his amateur days. He also left words of gratitude for Jo A-yeon, Hong Jeong-min, and Jang Yu-bin.

His future goals go beyond simply achieving good results. "I want to keep growing and become someone who can provide scholarships to junior players, just as I received support," Park stated. "I will strive to be a player who has a positive impact on Korean golf, using today as a stepping stone."

Meanwhile, a total of 41 players, including winner Park Jae-min, secured KPGA Tour seeds for the 2027 season. Following Cha Woo-jin, who finished second in the playoff, Im Chae-wook (31, Prombio) placed third with 10 under par, 278, while Jeong Sun-il (34) and Yoo Gyeong-il (34) tied for fourth with 8 under par, 280.

Veteran players also defended their tour cards for next year. "Original long-hitter" Kim Bong-seop (43, IVE Leeji) recorded 5 under par, 283 to tie for 13th, and Kim Seung-hyuk (40, Geumgang Housing), the 2014 KPGA Player of the Year award winner, tied for 21st with 3 under par, 285.

Park Hyun-seo (26) tied for eighth, while Park Kyung-nam (42, Dongbang Industry) and Hwang Do-yeon (33, MSS) tied for 24th to secure their seeds. Yang Min-hyuk (23), who claimed his first professional victory at the first event of this year's KPGA MY Moon Young Winter Tour, also placed tied for 16th to earn eligibility for next year's regular tour.

The KPGA awarded the QT winner's seed to the one qualifying tournament champion and QT top finisher seeds to the top 40 players excluding the winner.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original