Kepka PGA Phoenix Open Winner… ‘Superman Returns’ after 18 months
Eagle and Eagle 5 shots overturned, 327 yards long and computer iron
“Poisonous with determination to die” Lee Gyeong-hoon placed 2nd in the 1st round with 700 million won
viewer
Superman came back.
Brooks Kepka (31, USA),’Superman of the Field’, won the championship trophy after 1 year and 6 months. Kepka, the world’s No. 1 ranking player, won a total of 19 under par 265 strokes at the US Professional Golf (PGA) Tour Phoenix Open, which ended at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona (par 71) on the 8th (Korean time). He was tied for 7th, 5 shots behind the lead until the 3rd round, and in the 4th round, he completed the reverse by driving 6 under par 65 with 2 eagles and 3 birdies (1 bogie). It is the 8th win in total after 1 year and 6 months of winning drought. The prize money is 13.14,000 dollars (about 1.47 billion won). Kepka, who looks like a silent and ordinary young man, but with superman-like power when standing on the field, announced a resurgence at the stage where he first won the PGA Tour in 2015 and was held as a “respective” in three months. The world ranking was also raised from 13th to 12th.
The night before, the world’s No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) won the European Tour Saudi International championship, and as Kepka delivered victory, the ‘strong man heyday’ of men’s golf is expected to become more pronounced. Bryson DeChambo (USA), who had a 350-yard long hit last year, won the US Open, and Johnson, who has the same long hit, conquered the Masters. He boasted an iron shot with an 86% green hit rate (joint 1st place). Kepka, who cut off the long slump that came after a knee injury in the fall of 2019, said, “Honestly, my heart has been very dark. I wasn’t sure if I could go back to the past,” he said. “There was no other way than to listen to the trainer and coach. I give them all the balls.” As a’major hunter’ with a major win of 4 out of 8 wins, the expectation of winning the Masters in April was also high.
viewer
On that day, Kepka made a reservation for victory by fleeing from the 17th hole (par 4) with a 32-yard chip eagle with two shots. If this shot did not go in, Lee Kyung-hoon (30) could go to the extension. Lee Gyeong-hoon, who started from a tie for 3rd place in 3rd hitting, reduced 3 shots with 4 buddies and one bogie, and then finished tied for 2nd in 1st bout with 18 under par. It is the best performance since advancing to the PGA Tour in the 2018-2019 season (the previous best was a tie for 3rd place). Last season, he earned $781,000 in total prize money, but this time he won $649,700 (about 720 million won) as a tie for second place prize money. The world ranking also rose vertically from 263 to 142.
Lee Gyeong-hoon kept the lead with stable shots and putts throughout the four days, confirming that his first victory was not long before he climbed to the top of the 15th hole and held a 1st stroke chase even on the 17th hole.
Lee Gyeong-hoon won the Korean and Japanese tours in 2015 and then jumped into the PGA 2nd Tour the following year. He made a comfortable nest and went after his dream, saying, “I’ll make it strong with the heart that I will die in the United States even if I die.” Lee Gyeong-hoon, who frowned on the birdie putt in the last 18th hole (par 4) slightly missed the hole, said, “I was nervous the last day, but it was fun and exciting. As much as I had a good experience, I would like to hold onto it and win if a similar opportunity comes next.”
Lim Seong-jae, who cut 6 strokes, climbed 19 places and tied for 17th at the 12-under par.
/ Reporter Yang Joon-ho [email protected]
< 저작권자 ⓒ 서울경제, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지 >