Jeong Chan-min leads KPGA Charity Classic with opening 63

Jeong Chan-min (정찬민) took a one-stroke lead after the first round of the KPGA Charity Classic on October 15, shooting a nine-under-par 63 at Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi province. He recorded one eagle, eight birdies and one bogey on the par-72 Valley-Seowon course. Kim Yeon-seop (김연섭) followed on eight-under 64, with four players tied for third on 65. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]

Starting on the 10th hole, Jeong opened with consecutive birdies and added another at the 14th. He reached the par-five 16th in two shots and holed a 3.8-metre eagle putt. His only bogey came at the par-three 17th, but he recovered with a birdie at the next hole to complete his opening nine five under par. He then added four birdies without a bogey over the other nine holes. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]

Jeong has two career KPGA victories but has not won this season. He finished second at the Founders Cup in May and the Golfzon Open in September. Yonhap reported that he lost the latter in a playoff after leading through the 16th hole of the final round. Jeong said the course setup was difficult but that good shots and some luck had helped his score. He said he would focus on his own rhythm and decisions made with his caddie over the remaining three days. [ 2 , 4 ]

The tournament is the final opportunity to determine the field for the October 22-25 Genesis Championship, Yonhap reported. It said the top 36 players on Genesis points qualify and the winner of this event receives 1,000 points. Jeong was fourth on 3,744.77 points, while second-placed Kim, who made nine birdies and one bogey, entered the event 47th in the standings. [ 2 ]