South Korean golfer Kim Hongtaek demonstrated his prowess on the real course, matching his simulator king status. Undeterred by heavy rain at Namseoul Country Club, he battled through an extra hole to sink a 4-foot par putt, defeating Thai golfer Chonlatit Chuenboonngam and securing his first Asian Tour title at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
The 30-year-old Kim, a star in the Korean golf simulator scene with 11 simulator tournament victories, lived up to his “King of the Screen” nickname. Battling through persistent downpours in the final round, Kim, three shots behind 54-hole leader Lee Junghwan, staged a late charge with four of his six birdies on the day from holes 13 to 17, offsetting two bogeys and a double bogey for a 69 (-2) and a 274 (-10) total, tying Chuenboonngam (71), who finished level atop the leaderboard, forcing a playoff back at the 18th hole.
In the first playoff hole, Chuenboonngam left himself a 25-foot putt for par, which he missed, settling for a four-foot bogey putt. Kim seized the moment, converting his four-footer for par to claim his third Korean Tour title and a prize purse of US$221,231, marking his maiden Asian Tour triumph.
Kim joked, “There was a misconception that I’m only good at golf simulators. Today, I dispelled that myth. Actually, the simulators have helped me a lot; competing in them helps alleviate anxiety.”
For the second time, Chuenboonngam fell short in an Asian Tour playoff, this time at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, settling for second place once again. The 25-year-old Thai remarked, “It was very tough today. Everything was difficult, but I tried my best to keep my grip dry. I’m still very happy with how I played overall. In the other rounds, I had some luck with hole-outs and chip-ins. Since early last year, I’ve made some swing changes and worked hard on my swing. Now, I feel like my game is back.”
Canadian-Korean Richard T. Lee carded a 71 to finish third with a 276 (-8) total.
The Asian Tour now heads to the Kolon Korea Open from June 20-23, where defending champion Steve Seungsu Han, an American-Korean player, will be looking to retain his title.
(Asian Tour)
Kim Hongtaek wins GS Caltex Maekyung Open in playoff!. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/multi-sport-zone/12282.html
