Choi Dae-gyu-bae is aiming to win the championship by Yoo Min-hyuk
On the second day, he jumped to the lead by 7 under par and is tied for fourth place, 1 stroke behind the top group
ėŽė§ íë National team ace Yoo Min-hyuk is trying to win the 30th Choi Deung-gyu-bae Amateur Golf Championship. Reporter Lim Jungwoo
National team member Yoo Min-hyuk took the opportunity to win the 30th Choi Deung-gyu-bae Amateur Golf Championship. Yoo Min-hyuk, who finished second in the Dong-A Membership Group Open of the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour last year, is determined to blow up his disappointment by becoming the champion of the amateur major Choi Sang-kyu-bae Amateur Golf Championship.
Yoo Min-hyuk shot a 7-under 65 in the second round of the tournament held at Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 26th. He tied for fourth place with a median total of 9-under 135. He is one stroke behind co-leaders Park Gun-woong and Kim Rogan.
Yoo Min-hyuk, who reduced two strokes on the first day, showed his power to hit seven under par on the second day. He blocked just one bogey and snatched one eagle and six birdies, raising his ranking by 14 notches from the previous day. The best play of the day came on the par-5 7th hole. Yoo Min-hyuk succeeded in two on, calmly succeeded in the putt and snatched a valuable eagle.
Yoo Min-hyuk said, “I was disappointed that I could only reduce two strokes on the first day, but I succeeded in turning the mood around on the second day,” adding, “My shot and putt have definitely improved.” As I have risen to the front, I will aim to win the rest of the round,” he stressed.
Yoo Min-hyuk, who has been playing for the national team since last year, has recently shown remarkable performance. Last week, he won the runner-up prize at the KPGA Tour Dong-A Membership Group Open. After winning the Bacchus Cup National Student Golf Team Championship last month, he is ranked seventh in the KGA rankings, consistently being listed in the top ranks at the KGA-hosted competition.
But there is no satisfaction. Yoo Min-hyuk, who is aiming to represent Korea, is once again pushing himself to the limit. Yoo Min-hyuk said, “Just because I played well in my amateur days doesn’t mean I’ll perform well even after I become a professional,” adding, “I’m trying to make up for my shortcomings one by one as I still have a long way to go.”
He cited steady physical care and increased distance as the driving force behind this year’s propaganda. Yoo Min-hyuk, who lost nearly 20 kilograms and increased his average driving distance by 30 yards compared to 2024, has been reborn as an ace for the national team. “I’ve lost weight naturally while doing intense training, which definitely helps,” he said. “As the distance increases, I’m aiming for the green with a shorter club than before.” As a result, the average number of birdies per round has increased and the ability to drive.”
Yoo Min-hyuk, who is scheduled to challenge for the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) Qualifying Tournament this year, expressed his determination to win the title of Choi Sang-gyu-bae Amateur Golf Championship before becoming a professional. “After finishing second in the KPGA Tour Dong-A Membership Group Open last week, I realized that no one remembers the second place,” he said. “I want to win this week and be remembered for a long time.” I will do my best to become an amateur major champion,” he stressed.
Yoo Min-hyuk, sponsored by Shinhan Financial Group, is also thoroughly preparing for the successful Shinhan Donghae Open. “As it is a competition held by the main sponsor, I will definitely perform well,” he said with a smile. “I will be more than happy to win the championship and win the KPGA Tour and the JGTO.”
Reporter Lim Jungwoo in Paju