Bae Defends Korea Open Title
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Bae Sang-moon successfully defended his title at the Korea Open, Sunday.
In the final round of the 1-billion-won tournament in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, he fired a 4-under 67 for a 10-under 274 total to fend off Kim Dae-sub by one.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Kim Kyung-tae tied for third at 278.
Japanese Ryo Ishikawa and Korean-born New Zealander Danny Lee, which drew spotlight ahead of the event as the world's most exciting young golfers along with McIlroy, finished tied for 15 and 29, respectively.
"I struggled with my driver. After the second round, I practiced a lot and it got better,'' Bae said.
"With the winning vibe, I will try to qualify for the Japan Golf Tour in December.''
The win saw Bae receive a 300-million-won ($245,000) winner's share to move him atop the KPGA money list with over 500 million won, becoming the first golfer in the KPGA to reach the figure.
Bae ― who entered the final round one shot behind third-round co-leaders Kim and McIlroy ― took command for the first time, birdying No. 11, and both ended up with a bogey.
The 23-year-old extended his lead with back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th holes, including a fist-pumping, 7-meter putt on the latter, while Kim and McIlroy managed pars.
Kim, a two-time champion in the event in 1998 and 2001, birdied No. 14 to trim a deficit to two strokes, but, despite his eagle putt on the final hole, the 28-year-old failed to turn it around after squandering birdie chances on the 16th and 17th.