For the next player... 29 under par for real? Hong Jung-min, a new record for minimum pars in the 72nd hole, filled the championship when he emptied his mind and emptied his swing I'm grateful for being able to run.
Aug 17, 2025
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Hong Jung-min completed the wire-to-wire victory with nine birdies and two bogeys in the final fourth round of the Medi Hill and Hankook Ilbo Championship (total prize money of 1 billion won) held at the Autumn and Winter Course (par 72, 6,544 yards) in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 17th. Hong Jung-min, who had 31 birdies in this tournament, set a new record for the lowest number of pars in the history of the KLPGA Tour 72 holes with an overwhelming 29-under 259 total, nine strokes ahead of second place. The record before the minimum stroke of 72 holes in the KLPGA Tour history was 23-under 265 recorded by Kim Ha-neul (2013), Yoo Hae-ran (2020) and Lee Jung-min (2024).
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Hong Jung-min, who started the final round with a lead of two and six strokes, recorded 22 under par in no bogey until the third round. The key was not whether to win, but whether to achieve a new record for minimum pars in 72 holes. In the end, it was a fight with the earth god.
"I've seen Park Min-ji say that the record is to be broken. I think so too, and I'll try my best to break the recordHong Jung-min, who made up his mind, instantly surpassed the new record with three birdies in his fourth hole.
He missed the green at the 5th hole (par 4) and made his first bogey of the tournament, and his goal of winning the KLPGA Tour's first no-bogey was canceled early. In a broadcast interview after winning the championship, Hong Jung-min explained that it was a blessing in disguise, saying, `I had a regret about the no-bogey competition, but I played with a sense of relief afterward.'
Hong Jung-min, who continued his birdie march smoothly and reduced the number of pars, recorded 29 under par with a birdie on the 16th hole (par 4), raising expectations for a 30-under par record. However, he made a bogey on the tricky 17th hole (par 3) and unfortunately failed. Still, he dropped his champion birdie putt on the hole at the last 18th hole (par 4) and raised his right hand at 29 under par.
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It is a feat achieved by overcoming adversity. Hong Jung-min had a hard time secretly from 2023 to last year after winning the Doosan Match Play Championship in 2022, when he won his first KLPGA Tour victory. In order to overcome stress-induced autonomic nervous system abnormalities, panic disorders, and allergic reactions, I had to reduce the amount of practice, rest properly, and manage my condition. After trial and error, I found a solution. He also abandoned his obsession with grades and his desire to hit hard. The current comfortable and soft swing mechanism, which seems to be flowing water, has been completed. The green accuracy and putter improved with sufficient distance, allowing him to be in the best position this season.
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Yoo Hyun-jo (20, Samchully), who did not win this year, but ranked in the top 10 11 times without a single cut in 17 competitions this year, reduced five shots and finished second for the second time this season with a final total of 20-under 268.
Dream Tour champion Kim Min-sol, who tied for the lead on the first day, reduced six shots and tied for third (19-under 269) with Noh Seung-hee and Kim Min-sun.
Ji Han-sol Choi Ye-bon tied for sixth at 18-under, while Lee Da-yeon and Lee Chae-eun tied for eighth at 17-under. Jang Soo-yeon, Han Jin-sun, Choi Ye-rim, tied for 10th place with 16 under par.
Photo provided = KLPGA
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
