Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

Said Cho: “Playing a pro event, is just a different level and I know that I will really have to concentrate tomorrow. Today was good but tomorrow I have to win!” Ok could have and should have finished day three with a healthier lead but surprisingly made bogey on 17 and 18 to give the chasing pack hope. On the front nine on Sunday the tournament remained wide open but when Ok made three birdies in a row from the 11th for a two-shot lead it looked like he was heading for a comfortable victory. However, a poor tee shot on the par-three 17th left him with a difficult up and down and moments after he missed his 15-foot par putt, Bio, playing in the group ahead, holed a six-foot birdie putt on 18 to tie the lead on 14 under. A sudden-death play-off looked like a strong possibility, as the young and inexperienced Ok approached the par-five last. “I asked my caddie on 17 if he really thought I can birdie 18 and he said, ‘go for it’,” Ok was to say later. “I have learned a lot by playing in the final pairings recently so that really helped.” Sure enough, Ok bravely rose to the occasion and hit a masterful third shot to five feet which he confidently holed for a lifechanging victory, and a personal-best cheque for US$270,000. He carded a three-under-par 68, for a tournament total of 15 under par; Bio also shot a 68, while American Trevor Simsby fired a 67 for sole possession of third, one stroke further back. “This win is for my father,” said a tearful Ok, whose dad passed away when he was 10 years old. When asked what his plans are moving forward and how he will spend his winnings he said his mother would handle that. “I really wanted to win on the Asian Tour and take my game forward and help my dream of getting onto the PGA Tour. My plan is to make a success in Korea first and really challenge myself.” Despite being made to work hard for his maiden victory everything was all Ok in the end. It feels like a fun week. My family is here, which is just great. It’s a family trip which allows me to get away from golf a bit. I think I was thinking too much the past month, it shows I should do this a little more often. – BIO KIM 91 Chase Koepka, Bio Kim and Travis Smyth enjoy a traditional Korean BBQ on the eve of the event (FAR LEFT). Amateur star Wooyoung Cho (ABOVE) fired a stunning 61 on day three. Bio Kim (LEFT) made a last- minute bid to win. I N T E R N AT I O N A L S E R I E S K O R E A LOT TE S K Y H I L L COUNTRY C LUB, J E J U I S L AND | AUGUST 1 8 -21, 2022 | P R IZE MON E Y US$1 . 5 M I L LI ON