GS Caltex Maekyung Open: Song Min-Hyuk’s Dramatic Victory
Song Min-hyuk captured his maiden KPGA Tour title at the 45th GS Caltex Maekyung Open, a tournament with a total purse of 1.3 billion won. He overcame the leader in a tense finish at the Seongnam Namseo Country Club (par 71).
In the third round, Song fired a 1-under 71, birdieing the final hole to tie Jo Min-gyu at 11-under 273 and force a playoff. On the 18th hole (par 4) during sudden death, Song sank a birdie while Jo bogeyed under pressure, securing the 300 million won prize.
This marks Song’s first KPGA win in five years and his second Asian Tour victory in two years. He erased a three-stroke deficit with three birdies against Jo’s lead through 16 holes. Song Min-hyuk reflected, “Even if they pulled further ahead, fewer players can make up ground in one go, but I stayed focused and won outright.” He added, “This victory opens more doors to international events, and I aim to compete on the PGA Tour.”
Hyun In-Hoe’s Heartbreak
Hyun In-hoe, who held the lead entering the final stretch, finished tied at 11-under 273 but faltered on the par-4 seventh hole. A mishandled chip led to double bogey despite course adjustments. Hyun In-hoe said, “I couldn’t regain my position despite efforts, as officials wrongly ruled an OB penalty. That’s why the outcome turned out this way.”
DB Ladies Championship: Yu Hyun-Jo’s Third Win
Meanwhile, Yu Hyun-jo claimed her third victory of the season at the DB Ladies Championship (total purse 1.2 billion won) on the KLPGA Tour at Rainbow Hills Country Club (par 72). She finished at 7-under 281, one stroke ahead of Kim Min-sol and Ko Ji-won (6-under 282), earning 216 million won.
Yu posted an even-par 72 in the final round with two birdies and two bogeys. She twice trailed Ko Ji-won by one but surged ahead on the back nine. Despite leading the final duo standings through three rounds, Yu overtook decisively. Ko Ji-won needed birdies on the last two holes to force a playoff but fell short by two strokes.
Park Joo-young birdied five times to tie for fifth at 5-under 283 with Kim Su-ji, Han Jin-seon, and Ham Ke.
