[PGA] ‘1R 2nd place’ Ahn Byung-hun “Good coach replacement result… I’m sure to win this year”

[서울=뉴스핌] Reporter Kim Yong-seok = “I am confident that I will be able to win this year.”

On the 22nd (Korean time), Ahn Byeong-hoon recorded an unprecedented 7-under-par 65 in the first round of the American Professional Golf (PGA) Tour American Express ($6.7 million in prize money) held at the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course (par 72) in La Quinta, California, USA. , Took second place alone It is one stroke from the single leader (8 under par 64) and Brandon Hagi (US).

Ahn Byung-hoon, who participated in the New Year’s first tournament, placed second alone on the first day, raising expectations for his first PGA victory. [사진= 로이터 뉴스핌]

In the official interview with the PGA Tour, Ahn Byung-hoon expressed his satisfaction.

He said, “I rounded comfortably. I didn’t think much about the score throughout the round. Today is the day the driver hit the green well, and it seems that almost all of the birdies were made within 3 feet. There wasn’t much difficulty except putting putts at around 18 feet. For the rest, the driver shot was good at par 5, the chip shot was good, there was a crisis, but it finished well. I think I was able to finish with a 7-under par while maintaining the game.”

On this day, Ahn Byung-hoon cruised for the first victory in his life, showing a 83.33% green hit rate with an elaborate iron shot. In the first half, he reduced 3 strokes, including 2 consecutive birdies, and then reduced his number of strokes from the 11th hole (par 5) to 3 consecutive birdies in the second half, and then reduced one stroke again at 17 (par 3).

In 2009, he won the youngest championship of the US Amateur Championship (17 years and 10 months) and received attention. He won the 2015 European Professional Golf Tour (EPGA) BMW PGA Championship. In the 2019-2020 season, it was ranked in the top 10 five times, but finished at No. 33 in the FedEx Cup rankings, having participated in 7 competitions last season and cut off 5 competitions.

Ahn Byung-hoon, who participated in the first tournament of the new year, changed his swing coach and entered the tournament.
Regarding this, “I practiced with my new coach, Sean Foley, from the second or third week of November. I’ve known about him for 11 years. I saw him often in competitions and got along with him. I asked for help first. During the offseason, I practiced long games a lot. “I think I can see the results now. I’m hitting the ball better and I’m seeing progress. The score also seems to prove that I’ve worked hard, so I feel good. I’m happy.”

Ahn Byung-hoon, who doesn’t win the PGA Tour, said, “I think I had three chances, but I played really good, but I needed a little more luck and I needed to do a little better. These things show how difficult it is to win,” I don’t want to worry too much about things. I’m sure that if I hit it well today and putt together today, I’ll be able to win this year. The goal for the past five years has been the same. I win and advance to the final of the tour. He emphasized.

Kim Si-woo, who had a 77.28% green hit rate, was tied for 3rd place with 4 under par with 4 birdies, such as fishing eagles on par 5 and 5th hole.

Kim Si-woo said, “Last week, putting was not working well, so I intensively practiced putting and got good results today. Last week I focused on recovering my condition and finding a sense of play, so I think I feel good this week.”

Lim Seong-jae (23) tied 5 buddies and 1 bogie, tied for 15th place with Lee Gyeong-hoon (30), and 19-year-old Kim Joo-hyung, who participated by sponsor recommendation, recorded a tie for 39th place (3 under par).

The tournament will take place on two courses, the Nicklaus Tournament Course and the Stadium Course (par 72, 7113 yards). Ahn Byung-hoon played in the Nicklaus tournament on the first day.

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