Lee Jae-kyung and Jeon Sung-hyun jumped to a share of the lead on the third day of the final event of the 2023 season on the Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour.
Lee shot a 4-under 67 with five birdies and a bogey in the third round of the Korean Tour’s LG Signature Players Championship (total prize money of 1.3 billion won) at the Valley-Seowon Course (par-71, 7,000 yards) at Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, on Wednesday.
Lee Jae-kyung, who was tied for seventh at 3-under through the second round, moved into a share of the lead with a 7-under-par 206 total.
Lee, who has three career wins, will be looking to add to her trophy haul nearly five months after winning the Descente Korea Match Play in June.
“As the tournament progressed, my putting improved, and I was able to protect myself in crunch situations and cut down my strokes when I had the chance. My shots are also steady,” she said, adding, “I’ve moved into the lead, so of course my goal is to win.”
Jeon, who has yet to win since making her Korean Tour debut in 2016, cut three strokes on the day to share the lead with Lee Jae-kyung.
Jeon’s runner-up finish at the Bizplay Electronics Newspaper Open in September last year was her best finish since making her debut, and she has also finished third this season at the Gunsan CC Open in August and the Hyundai Marine Choi Kyung Joo Invitational last month.
“Whenever I had a chance to win, I think I was nervous physically even if I wasn’t nervous mentally,” said Jeon, who reflected, “I think this week will be a little different because I’ve experienced it a few times. My iron shots have improved since last week and my overall game is not bad.”
Genesis Points Leader (5,662.25) Jeong continued to cruise towards the target.
Three birdies and a bogey on the day gave him a two-stroke lead at 6-under par 207, putting him in a tie for third place, one shot behind the leader.
With a third-place finish or better in the tournament, Ham will be able to claim the title on his own.
“I hit my irons well, which made it easier to hit the greens,” he said. “Golf isn’t over until the gloves come off and we’ll have to see what the other players do, but I think I’ve put myself in a good position to win. I want to win the title and climb to the top of the money list.”
Shin Sang-hoon, the second round leader, was unable to reduce his score on the day and finished the third round in a tie for third place with Ham Jeong-woo.
Kim Chan-woo was fifth (5-under par 208), Kim Seung-hyuk, Jeong Jung-mil and Kang Yoon-seok tied for sixth (4-under par 209) and Choi Min-chul was ninth (3-under par 210).
Ko Goon-taek, who has three wins this season and is the top money winner (760.3 million won), is tied for 12th (1-under 212).
The tournament will continue with four rounds of uncut play for the 61 players seeded in 2024 who are within the top 70 on the Genesis Order of Merit points and money list. 먹튀검증