Jeong Han-mil after carding a 7-under-par round to move into a share of the lead. [Photo=KPGA]
Jeong Han-mil after carding a 7-under-par round to move into a share of the lead. [Photo=KPGA]

Jeong Han-mil fired a round-best 7-under-par 65 on Friday to vault into a share of the lead at the KPGA Tour Gunsan CC Open.

Playing the tournament course at Gunsan Country Club in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, Jeong carded eight birdies against one bogey to post a 7-under 65, moving to 8-under 136 for the tournament and joining Wang Jeong-hun and Kim Hong-taek at the top of the leaderboard. The round lifted Jeong 39 places up the standings in a single day.

Jeong, who joined the KPGA Tour in 2017, has yet to win on the main tour. His best finish remains a runner-up at this same event in 2024.

"Gunsan CC is a course I really love, so I played in a relaxed frame of mind, and I think that translated into a good score," Jeong said after the round. "No one knows whether the wind will pick up or rain will fall in the remaining rounds. Rather than getting too greedy, I want to enjoy myself and finish strong."

Kim Hong-taek reduced his score by four strokes for the second consecutive day to join the co-leaders and enter the title race. Wang Jeong-hun, who had surged to the outright lead with a 9-under opening round, dropped a shot after making a double bogey on the par-5 16th hole and was forced to share the top spot.

"I've been near the top all season but haven't been able to win," Wang said. "My ball-striking feels good and I think the course suits my game, so I want to play aggressively tomorrow and take the score as low as possible."

Jang Yu-bin, bidding for a third consecutive KPGA title, carded four birdies and one bogey for a 3-under 69 and sits at 7-under 137, tied for fourth alongside Lee Sang-hee and Brandon Kewalamanee of the United States. "It would be a lie to say I'm not hungry for the win, but if I let that desire take over I think it will actually hurt my game," Jang said. "I'm going to try not to think about it and just enjoy my round."

Kim Min-gyu, who competes on LIV Golf, shot a 1-under 71 to reach 6-under 138, sharing seventh place with national team member Yoo Min-hyeok, Park Seong-guk and Im Ye-taek.


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