Jung-Gon Hwang has decided to go for 2 years of military service back home in Korea after this season, so this will be his last tournament before he leaves for his duty. It was another freezing day at Tokyo Yomiuri CC, but Jung-Gon managed to score 68, which totaled to 6 under, co-leader with Ryoko Tokimatsu going for the Final Sunday tomorrow.

Jung-Gon played his front nine bogey free, but at 13th he has made a mistake on his 2nd shot which cost him a bogey. At that moment, his face expression changed. He usually doesn't show his emotions out, so his nickname from the junior days as a statue buddha.
"At that moment, I got upset of myself, got little emotional. But it also helped me get through the cold weather", joked Jung-Gon.

He has contained his anger and made it into power to get a birdie on 17th. On the final hole. His tee shot went to the back right of the green, his birdie putt was a downhill and steep right to left line. Last year he was in the playoff with Ryo Ishikawa and Satoshi Kodaira, had the same kind of birdie putt and his aggressive putting led to a 3 putt.
"I was afraid to do the same mistake today, so I went safe."
He got it to less then a meter to safely save par.

"Today I didn't look at the leaderboards and concentrated only on my game, I think that worked."
Jung-Gon will lead into the final Sunday, same as last year and his father was there to watch him. He watched Ernie Els play at Korean Open with his father at the age of 13, that was his turning point to start playing golf. He entered an elite golf academy where he shot 800 balls a day to make up his beautiful swing, which his fellow players envy.

Jung-Gon's father gave him the great atmosphere to concentrate on practicing golf and has supported him as a caddie for few years after Jung-Gon debuted in 2009. His father hasn't seen his proud son play since JT Cup in 2015.

"I am happy that he came to see me, but I am enjoying myself rather than playing for him. When I come back from the military duty, I will be 30 years old, so tomorrow will be my last game in my 20s. I hope I could enjoy my 18 holes tomorrow, but I am a bit worried since the final 18 is a tough hole" smiled Jung-Gon.