‘Icon of overcoming’ Kim Yong-tae (24, Srixon) won the ‘2023 KPGA Srixon Tour 3rd Tournament (total prize money 80 million won, championship prize money 16 million won)’. It broke the winning streak of amateur players such as Yubin Jang (21) and Wooyoung Cho (22, Woori Financial Group) who won consecutive championships in the ‘1st Competition’ and ‘2nd Competition’.
On the first day of the tournament held on the 10th and 11th at Gunsan Country Club Jeonju, Iksan Course (par 71/7143 yards) in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, Kim Yong-tae made a bogey on the 1st hole (par 4), but made 7 birdies only on the second hole and Kim Su-gyeom ( 27) was tied for the lead.카지노사이트
On the final day of the tournament, Kim Yong-tae maintained his potential despite the inclement weather. Kim Yong-tae, who made birdies on the 2nd hole (par 5) and 6th hole (par 4), made a bogey on the 14th hole (par 5), but blocked all remaining 4 holes with pars. Kim Yong-tae won the championship by one stroke in second place with a final total of 7 under par 135 strokes.
After the match, Kim Yong-tae said, “It feels very good to be able to win after a long time. I am especially happy to be able to lift the championship cup in front of my father who came to the venue to encourage me.” I would also like to express my gratitude to Jinyang Valley CC, Daeso Golf Club, LK Golf Academy Pro Lee Gil-hee, Coach Lee Sang-min, and Muscle Swing CEO Kim Dae-dae.”
He continued, “The weather was not good on the last day. There were not many chances to record a birdie because of the strong wind,” he said.
Kim Yong-tae is an ‘icon of overcoming’. He was an amateur strongman who served as the national standing army in 2012 and the national team in 2015. Lee Jae-kyung (24, CJ) and Yun Seong-ho (27, Woori Financial Group), who are currently active on the KPGA Korean Tour, are national teammates.
Kim Yong-tae, who started to stand out by winning the ‘National Elementary School Golf Tournament’ in 2009, won the ‘Bacchus Cup SBS Golf National Provincial and Provincial Golf Team Championships’ middle school in 2012, and the ‘Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup National Middle and High School Golf Tournament’ in 2015. also occupied
However, after turning to the KPGA pro in April 2016, Kim Yong-tae felt an unknown weight loss and was diagnosed with ‘hyperthyroidism’ after treatment at the hospital. ‘Hyperthyroidism’ is an overproduction of thyroid hormone, resulting in unexplained weight loss, excessive sweating, extreme fatigue, lethargy, and other symptoms.
After being diagnosed with ‘hyperthyroidism’ and undergoing treatment and wandering for about three years, Kim Yong-tae did not lose his dream as a golf player. He grabbed the golf club again and was reborn as an ‘icon of overcoming’ with this victory following the ‘KPGA Challenge Tour 18th Tournament’ in 2019.
Kim Yong-tae said, “I was diagnosed with ‘hyperthyroidism’ in 2016, and a kind of ‘burnout’ accompanied by a 20kg weight loss, lethargy, and depression came. I thought, ‘Should I give up on golf?’, but I realized that golf is the thing I can show my passion for the most in my life.” He tried to have a positive mentality whenever he felt lethargic.”
He said, “I am still training while receiving treatment. Rather than blaming the situation for ‘hyperthyroidism’ that came on suddenly, I want to do my best in silence,” he said. “I want to be a hope that people suffering from the same disease can do it.”
Park Bae-jong (37, Hana Financial Group) and Kim Soo-gyeom tied for second place with a final total of 6 under par and 136 strokes, and Yang Min-hyeok (20) and Kim Yeong-gyu (39) tied for fourth place with a final total of 5 under par and 137 strokes.
The ‘2023 KPGA Srixon Tour 4th Tournament’ will be held on the 12th and 13th at the same place.