By Yoon Chul
Kang Sung-hoon took a big step toward joining the PGA Tour, sharing fifth place in the first round of the final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, Thursday (KST).
At the Orange County National Golf Center in Florida, Kang sank five birdies and had one bogey for 4-under 68, three shots behind leader Kyle Stanley of the United States.
Only the top 25 finishers will earn PGA Tour cards. Kang took on the challenge last year and he joined the final stage of Q-school but finished 98th.
Fellow Koreans Lee Seung-ho carded a 3-under 69 for a share of seventh with eight other golfers, while Kim Bi-o, who won three times on the Korea PGA Tour this season, was joint-25th with a 1-under 70. However, Bae Sang-moon is currently 148th after a 5-over 76.