Tournament article

Gate Way To The Open Mizuno Open at The Royal Golf Club 2019

University player Young-Woong Kim emerges for the chance of victory toward the weekend

21 years old Young-Woong Kim played his 2nd round with bogey free 4 under and skipped his way to 2nd position on the leader board, only 2 shots behind the leader.

In his front nine at 570 yards Par 5 3rd Hole, as he commented later "I drove it well", he shot a great drive and he had 241 yards left from the fairway, which he also made a great shot with 5 Iron to 6-meter of the pin and got himself an eagle. This eagle got him on a roll.

"I had practice rounds in Thailand which was same as this long course. I think all of that practice is working out great today."

Young-Woong Kim is still a student at Korea National Sport University. Jung-Gon Hwang is 6 years elder to Young-Woong, who graduated same university. Young-Woong passed the Final QT by finishing 19th and gained the chance to compete this season.
"I have heard so many great course conditions from Jung-Gon. To compete in Japan Tour was my dream."

Sung-Jae Im, who has become the first Asian Order of Merit titleholder in 2017 Web.com Tour, who now is making a debut in US PGA this season, was a rival with Young-Woong Kim in amateur days. They were together in National Teams.
"I started golf later than Sung-Jae Im, and I am still far left behind."

Young-Woong Kim also wants to play in US PGA Tour someday. So, in order to get closer to his dream, he got himself a great buddy, a caddy who used to carry for Ho-Sung Choi is by his side this season.

Young-Woong Kim, who has the average driving distance of 300 yards in already in good position for his first win at the longest course on the Tour. And as a reminder this is just his 3rd tournament.
"This is my first time to be in competitive position on the weekends at Japan Tour, so I do have some pressure, but I would like to continue playing aggressively as I have been."