Lee Ye-won wins S-Oil Championship in comeback, extends four-year multi-win streak

Lee Ye-won staged a come-from-behind victory at the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour's S-Oil Championship on Sunday, extending a four-year streak of winning multiple titles per season. Lee carded a 1-under-par 71 in strong winds during the final round at Elysian Jeju Country Club (par 72, 6,924 yards) in Jeju, finishing at 12-under-par 276 to beat runner-up Moon Jeong-min by three strokes. The winner's prize was 180 million won ($135,000). The victory marked Lee's second win of the season, coming about six months after the Dukshin EPC Championship in April, and kept alive a four-year run of multiple victories per season. Entering the final round one stroke behind leader Lee Ji-hyeon 3, Lee Ye-won rolled in a 5.8-meter birdie putt from the fringe on the par-4 second hole to draw level, then added a 1-meter birdie on the par-4 eighth to take the outright lead. While Lee Ye-won collected two birdies on the front nine, Lee Ji-hyeon 3 collapsed with four consecutive bogeys on holes 8 through 11. Lee Ye-won stretched the lead to three strokes and, with rivals Moon Jeong-min and Yoo Hyeon-jo unable to make birdies in the blustery conditions, cruised to the title despite a three-putt bogey on the par-3 13th hole. Lee Ye-won joined the KLPGA Tour in 2022, winning Rookie of the Year, and has since blossomed into one of the tour's marquee players. Lee claimed three wins in each of the three seasons from 2023, and earlier this year secured a career 10th title at the Dukshin EPC Championship in April. Moon Jeong-min exchanged a birdie and a bogey on the final day to finish even par, ending at 9-under-par 279 for the runner-up spot. Lee Ji-hyeon 3, who had been chasing a first career win, made no birdies and dropped six bogeys to finish at 7-under-par 281, tying for third with Yoo Hyeon-jo, Choi Eun-woo and Song Eun-a. Jang Eun-su and Lee Jae-yun shared seventh place at 5-under-par 283, while Park Hye-jun, Sung Yu-jin and Jeon Ye-seong tied for ninth at 4-under-par 284. Money-list leader Kim Min-sol dropped three shots but finished at 3-under-par 285 to tie for 12th. Kim added 11.74 million won in prize money to push season earnings to 1.6 billion won, becoming the first player in tour history to surpass 1.6 billion won in a single season.

Nov. 1, 2026

Furado leads Samsung to Korean Series, wins playoff MVP

Ace throws 7 innings of 1-run ball in decisive Game 5 Consecutive strikeouts in 6th inning extinguish KIA rally Korean Series Game 1 against kt set for Tuesday Ariel Furado, returning from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him for months, led the Samsung Lions to the Korean Series on Sunday with another dominant playoff outing — and walked away with the series MVP award. Samsung defeated the KIA Tigers 6-1 in Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason playoff series at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, clinching the best-of-five series three games to two. Samsung will now face regular-season champion kt wiz in the Korean Series, a best-of-seven. Furado set the tone from the mound, holding KIA to five hits, two walks and one unearned run over seven innings while striking out three. The performance followed a six-and-two-thirds-inning, two-run effort in Game 2 last month. In a media vote of 79 ballots, Furado received 47 to claim playoff MVP honors. Choi Hyung-woo received 20 votes and Ryu Ji-hyeok five. Samsung's lineup gave Furado early support. Choi Hyung-woo drove in the first run with an RBI single in the first inning, and the Lions blew the game open in the second — a Kim Ji-chan two-run single and a Park Seung-gyu RBI hit, set up by Kang Min-ho's single and Lee Jae-hyeon's double, pushed the lead to 4-0. KIA cut the deficit to 4-1 on a Park Jae-hyeon RBI triple to right-center in the third, but could not solve Furado. The pivotal moment came in the top of the sixth with Samsung still leading 4-1. Kim Do-young reached on an error and Na Sung-bum singled, putting runners on first and second with one out. Furado struck out Kim Seon-bin looking and fanned Han Jun-su swinging on consecutive pitches to strand both runners. That sequence proved decisive. With KIA threatening to swing the momentum, Furado snuffed out the rally with back-to-back strikeouts. Samsung then extended the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Kim Ji-chan triple and a Park Seung-gyu RBI single, pushing the margin to 6-1 and effectively sealing the win. Furado had left the rotation in July with shoulder pain, but Samsung waited for the ace to return. Having logged a combined 218⅓ innings across the regular season and postseason last year, Furado repaid the club's faith by stepping back into the starting role at the most critical stage of this year's playoff run. KIA starter Adam Oller took the loss after allowing six hits and four runs in two innings. The Tigers managed only five hits as a team, with Kim Do-young going hitless in four at-bats. Samsung played before a sellout crowd of 23,550. The Korean Series opens Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at KT Wiz Park in Suwon.

Nov. 1, 2026

Bae Yong-jun wins Lexus Masters with tap-in birdie in playoff

Bae Yong-jun claimed victory at the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour's Lexus Masters, which carried a purse of 1 billion won ($749,000), after a tense playoff. Bae entered the final round at Club72 Country Club's Ocean Course (par 71) on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on Tuesday holding a four-stroke lead, but traded two birdies and two bogeys to finish at even par for the day. The round left Bae at 12-under-par 272 for the tournament, forcing a three-way playoff with Jang Yu-bin and Jeong Jae-hyeon. The trio halved the first extra hole — the par-5 18th — with birdies. On the second trip down the same hole, Bae stuck a third shot to within 30 centimeters of the pin and tapped in for birdie to end the drama. Jeong missed a 5-meter birdie putt and Jang could not convert from 3 meters. The victory is Bae's third on tour. Bae collected a winner's check of 180 million won and first won on the KPGA Tour at the Honors K·Solago CC Han Jang-sang Invitational in 2022, then added a second title at the KPGA Classic last year. Jang and Jeong each shot 6-under to join the playoff but had to settle for a share of runner-up. Jang birdied the final hole in regulation to force a way into the extra holes, while Jeong missed a 2-meter birdie putt on the last and was pulled into the playoff having let slip a chance at a first KPGA Tour victory.

Nov. 1, 2026

Samsung Lions reach Korean Series for first time in 2 years after beating KIA 6-1

Samsung wins playoff finale 6-1 to advance 3-2 in series Lions to face regular-season champion KT in Korean Series Kim Ji-chan drives in two runs in second inning to seize control Jurado limits KIA to five hits over seven innings The Samsung Lions punched their ticket to the Korean Series for the first time in two years Sunday, riding a dominant start from Ariel Jurado and a focused offensive effort to beat the KIA Tigers 6-1 in Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason playoff at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu. Samsung won the best-of-five series three games to two and will face regular-season champion KT Corp in the Korean Series. Samsung drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning when Choi Hyung-woo lined a two-out RBI single to center with runners on first and second. The Lions broke the game open in the second, when back-to-back singles by Kang Min-ho and Lee Jae-hyeon loaded the corners and Kim Ji-chan delivered a two-run single. Kim then stole a base, and Park Seung-gyu followed with an RBI single to right to push the lead to 4-0. KIA cut the deficit to 4-1 in the top of the third when Park Jae-hyeon hit a run-scoring triple to right-center. Samsung answered in the bottom of the sixth, however, when Kim Ji-chan's drive turned into a two-out RBI triple after a misplay by the KIA left fielder. Park Seung-gyu then added an RBI single to left to make it 6-1 and put the game out of reach. Jurado went seven innings, allowing five hits and one run — none of them earned — while striking out three to shut down the KIA lineup. The win was Jurado's second of the series, having also taken the decision in Game 2. Samsung turned to Lee Seung-min in the eighth and closer Won Tae-in in the ninth to finish the job. KIA starter Adam Oller took the loss after giving up six hits and four runs in just two innings. Yang Hyeon-jong entered in the third and held Samsung scoreless through the fifth, but surrendered two more runs in the sixth on a defensive error and an RBI hit. KIA managed only five hits on the night, with cleanup hitter Kim Do-yeong going 0-for-4. Samsung last reached the Korean Series in 2024, when the Lions defeated the LG Twins three games to one. Last year, Samsung fell to the Hanwha Eagles two games to three. KIA, meanwhile, has reached the Korean Series 12 times — including the franchise's years as the Haitai Tigers — and won the championship every time, but has been eliminated in each of its last five playoff appearances. Game 1 of the Korean Series between Samsung and KT is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at KT Wiz Park in Suwon.

Nov. 1, 2026

Kim A-rim finishes 7th at Maybank Championship with four back-nine birdies

Choi Hye-jin, Yang Hee-young tie for 9th; three Koreans finish in top 10 Yamashita wins back-to-back, earns third LPGA victory of the season Kim A-rim posted the best finish among South Korean players at the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship, which carried a $3 million purse, ending the week in seventh place. Playing Sunday at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club's West Course (par 72) in Malaysia, Kim went bogey-free and made four birdies for a 4-under-par 68 in the final round. A tournament total of 15-under-par 273 secured sole seventh place. Kim parred all nine holes on the front nine before surging on the back, collecting all four birdies after the turn. Kim birdied the 10th and 11th holes consecutively, then closed with back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18. The title went to Japan's Yamashita Miyu, who finished at 22-under-par 266. Yamashita, who had held the solo lead through the third round, shot five birdies and one bogey on the final day for a 4-under 68 to hold off the field. The victory gave Yamashita back-to-back titles at the event, following last year's win, and marked the third LPGA Tour victory of the season — adding to wins at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June and the CPKC Women's Open in August — and the fifth of Yamashita's LPGA Tour career. The winner's share was $450,000. Choi Hye-jin, who had finished runner-up in each of the two preceding tournaments, carded a bogey-free 3-under-par 69 with three birdies Sunday. Yang Hee-young also shot three birdies for a 3-under 69. Both players finished at 13-under-par 275, sharing ninth place.

Nov. 1, 2026

Japan's Yamashita wins back-to-back Maybank Championship; Kim Ah-rim finishes 7th

Yamashita Miyu of Japan successfully defended her title at the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship, which carried a $3 million purse, winning the event for the second consecutive year. Yamashita shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round Sunday at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club West Course (par 72) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, finishing at 22-under 266 to beat runner-up Liu Yan of China by two strokes. Last year, Yamashita entered the final round eight strokes behind leader Choi Hye-jin but made seven birdies without a bogey to force a playoff, then sank a birdie putt in the playoff against Choi and Hannah Green of Australia to claim the title. The victory was Yamashita's third of the season on the LPGA Tour, following wins at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June and the CPKC Women's Open in August, moving Yamashita into third place on the multiple-wins list behind Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, who each have four. Yamashita has also won the Sony JLPGA Championship on the Japan LPGA Tour and the Aramco Korea Championship on the Ladies European Tour, giving Yamashita five victories across all tours this season. Yamashita entered the final round with a two-stroke lead but faced a strong challenge from playing partner Liu Yan. Liu, who fired a 9-under-par round Saturday to jump into a tie for second, made a birdie on the par-4 2nd hole and then holed a 3-meter eagle putt on the par-5 4th to draw level with Yamashita. Yamashita, known for precise iron play, responded with birdies on the par-5 3rd and 5th holes to retake the lead. After trading a birdie and bogey on holes 8 and 9, Yamashita added a crucial birdie on the par-3 11th, pulling clear after Liu made a bogey on the 14th. Liu had one last chance on the par-5 18th, where a 6-meter eagle putt could have forced a playoff, but the ball stopped short for a birdie. Yamashita then drained a 3-meter uphill birdie putt after Liu's eagle attempt missed, sealing the two-stroke victory. Marisa Tojai, a 17-year-old amateur from Thailand, carded a 5-under 67 in the final round to finish at 19-under 269, sharing third place with Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France. Tojai had made six birdies through the 13th hole to threaten Yamashita's lead, but a water hazard and double bogey on the par-4 16th ended the charge. Kim Ah-rim made four birdies on the back nine to finish at 15-under 273, good for sole seventh place. Choi Hye-jin, who had finished runner-up in each of the previous two weeks, posted a 4-under final round to finish at 14-under 274, tying for ninth with Yang Hee-young, Yoshida Yuri of Japan and Celine Boutier of France. Hwang Yu-min, who is chasing the Rookie of the Year award, fired eight birdies against two bogeys for a 6-under final round, finishing at 12-under 276 in sole 20th place.

Nov. 1, 2026

Kim Ju-hyung climbs into top 10 at Mexico Open despite earlier penalty

6 birdies, no bogeys in Round 3; Novak leads with 19-under two-day stretch Kim Ju-hyung moved into the top 10 at the PGA Tour's Vidanta World Mexico Open (purse: $6 million) with a six-stroke improvement in the third round. Playing Sunday (Korean Standard Time) at Vidanta Vallarta (par 71) in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico, Kim carded six birdies against no bogeys for a 6-under-par 65. The round lifted Kim to a 13-under-par total of 200, moving up 16 spots from a tie for 25th on Saturday to a tie for ninth. Kim trails solo leader Andrew Novak of the United States — who sits at 23-under 190 — by 10 strokes. Kim had incurred a two-stroke penalty in Saturday's second round for accidentally hitting a fellow competitor's ball, but bounced back with a composed performance. Missing only two greens in regulation, Kim picked up two birdies on the front nine and added four more on the back to climb the leaderboard. Novak followed Saturday's 10-under 61 with a 9-under 62 on Sunday, extending his lead over second-place Mathieu Pavon of France — at 17-under 196 — to six strokes. Novak, who won the Zurich Classic alongside Ben Griffin last year, is chasing his first individual PGA Tour title and second career victory overall. Korean American Doug Kim sits alone in third at 16-under 197.

Nov. 1, 2026

Choi Hyung-min wins Srixon long drive match with 352-meter blast

Choi defeats Han Jae-min in final to claim 5 million won prize Choi Hyung-min claimed the title at the Srixon ZXi RKT Long Drive Match with a drive exceeding 352 meters. Golfzon announced Sunday that Choi recorded 352.19 meters in the tournament final held Friday at Golfzon Joymaaru in Daejeon, edging out Han Jae-min to take the championship. The event, organized by Golfzon and sponsored by Srixon, was designed to find the country's longest hitter. Competitors qualified through an online preliminary round held over roughly two weeks, with 16 qualifiers joining three invited players — Kim Jun-nyeon, Lee Yong-hee and Shin Ji-eun — for a field of 19. In the final, Choi's 352.19-meter drive bested Han's 347-meter effort. Choi had earlier knocked out Lee Jae-un in the semifinals with a 356.41-meter blast. Han advanced to the final by eliminating top qualifier Choi Jong-hwan — who had posted 385 meters in the preliminary round — by just 0.7 meters in the semifinals. Last year's champion Eom Seong-yong was eliminated by Han in the quarterfinals. Choi took home the winner's prize of 5 million won ($3,740) along with a Srixon ZXi RKT driver. Runner-up Han received 3 million won. The total purse was 15 million won. "It was an honor to compete on the same stage as Eom Seong-yong and Choi Jong-hwan, pros I have long admired," Choi said. "I will keep working hard to repay that with even better performances going forward."

Nov. 1, 2026

Kim Ju-hyung climbs to tied 9th at Vidanta World Mexico Open

Kim Ju-hyung fired a 6-under-par round Sunday to move into a tie for ninth place at the Vidanta World Mexico Open on the PGA Tour. Kim carded a 6-under 65 at Vidanta Vallarta (par 71) in Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time), bringing his 54-hole total to 13-under 200 and drawing level with defending champion Brian Campbell of the United States. Unlike Saturday, when Kim incurred a penalty stroke for a wrong ball played from a bunker, Kim managed a clean, bogey-free round on Moving Day, collecting six birdies to close the gap on the leaders. Campbell, who played alongside Kim for the second consecutive day, also shot 65 to share the same position. Andrew Novak of the United States surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 9-under 62, reaching 23-under 190 and opening a six-stroke lead. Novak had already set the course record with a 10-under 61 on Saturday, cutting his score by a combined 19 strokes over two days. Novak is chasing his first individual PGA Tour title. Last year, Novak teamed with Ben Griffin of the United States to win the Zurich Classic, a team event, but has yet to claim a victory in individual stroke play. Novak seized control with a strong back nine, according to the Associated Press. After making eagle on the par-5 12th hole, Novak added back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th, picking up four strokes over three holes and at one point stretching his lead to seven strokes. Matthieu Pavon of France shot a 6-under 65 to move into sole second place at 17-under 196. Pavon birdied the final two holes in succession but still trails Novak by six strokes. Doug Kim of the United States, a Korean American, fired a 7-under 64 to sit alone in third at 16-under 197. Pierceson Coody, Max Greyserman and Ben Griffin, all of the United States, are tied for fourth at 15-under 198.

Nov. 1, 2026

Pro wrestlers who broke their necks and had their lives turned upside down

Takanashi suffers cervical fracture, discharged and in rehabilitation Hayabusa, Takayama also could not overcome the injury Pro wrestling thrills crowds with dazzling moves and fierce physical combat. But a single bad landing can upend a wrestler's entire life. Japanese pro wrestler Takanashi Masahiro, 43, has experienced that danger firsthand. Takanashi suffered a broken neck and spinal cord damage during a match last year. After surgery and a lengthy hospital stay, Takanashi was discharged eight months later — but the fight to reclaim daily life continues. According to Japanese pro wrestling promotion DDT, Takanashi injured his neck during the KO-D Openweight Championship match at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on March 20, 2025. The opponent was Chris Brooks. Tests revealed fractures of the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae along with cervical spinal cord damage. Takanashi underwent surgery the following day and continued treatment in the intensive care unit. The cervical vertebrae are the bones of the neck that support the head. The cervical spinal cord running through them is the central nerve pathway connecting the brain to the body; damage to it can affect movement and sensation in the limbs as well as respiratory function. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, permanent paralysis can result. Takanashi's recovery has been far from easy. About a month after the injury, after being moved to a general ward, Takanashi said the goal at that point was simply to move a single toe even a millimeter. Even so, Takanashi did not give up hope, expressing a determination to build on small gains day by day and one day meet fans again. The news of Takanashi's discharge finally came on Nov. 17 last year. After roughly eight months of inpatient treatment and rehabilitation, Takanashi began commuting between home and the hospital to continue recovery. Through DDT, Takanashi expressed gratitude to medical staff and fans, saying the focus going forward would be on regaining the ability to perform everyday movements. However, it has not been confirmed whether Takanashi can walk independently or whether a return to competition is possible. Neck injuries are far from an unfamiliar tragedy in pro wrestling. Hayabusa, who earned worldwide fame for the most spectacular aerial moves in Japanese pro wrestling history, also saw his career end because of a cervical spine injury. Hayabusa, the marquee star of FMW, attempted an aerial move during a match in October 2001, slipped on the jump and landed headfirst on the mat. The cervical injury left Hayabusa with total paralysis. Through relentless rehabilitation, Hayabusa eventually recovered enough to walk with assistance, but never returned to active competition. Hayabusa died in 2016 at the age of 47 from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The cause of death was unrelated to the neck injury, but the fact that a single accident ended a storied career remains unchanged. Takayama Yoshihiro, 60, nicknamed "Emperor" and "High Tower" in the pro wrestling world, is another emblematic case of the dangers a neck injury can bring. Standing 196 centimeters tall, Takayama dominated the Japanese pro wrestling scene and left a strong impression in mixed martial arts as well. A brawl with Don Frye at Pride FC in 2002 is particularly remembered among combat sports fans as one of the great fights of that era. Takayama, too, suffered severe cervical spinal cord damage during a match in May 2017. The injury caused complete paralysis below the neck, and nine years on, Takayama still relies on a wheelchair. Takayama attended a charity event held in his honor, "Takayamania Empire 5," at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo in September. Fellow wrestler Suzuki Minoru and fans gathered to celebrate Takayama's 60th birthday. Takayama expressed a determination to keep pressing forward with rehabilitation. Hayabusa captivated fans with moves that seemed to defy gravity; Takayama did it with overwhelming power from an imposing frame. Their styles could not have been more different, yet both were powerless against a neck injury. In pro wrestling, outcomes and the flow of a match are often predetermined — but the physical punishment the wrestlers absorb is not scripted. Every fall from height, every impact absorbed from an opponent's weight, every moment a body is thrown onto a hard mat carries a real risk of injury.

Nov. 1, 2026

Lee Kang-in hits crossbar as Atletico Madrid extend La Liga winning run to seven

Atletico Madrid, with Lee Kang-in in the starting lineup, beat Levante to extend their Spanish La Liga winning streak to seven matches. Lee failed to register an attacking point but was lively throughout, including a powerful left-footed effort that struck the crossbar. Atletico won 2-0 away at Ciutat de Valencia in Valencia, Spain, in the 11th round of the 2026-27 La Liga season on Saturday at 10 p.m. Korean Standard Time. The victory lifted Atletico to 28 points and temporarily moved the club above Barcelona into first place in the standings. Atletico have played one more match than Barcelona, however, meaning the standings could shift depending on Barcelona's next result. Manager Diego Simeone deployed a 4-4-2 formation, with Lee starting up front alongside Julian Alvarez. Alex Baena and Giuliano Simeone were stationed on the flanks, while Pablo Barrios and Morten Hjulmand anchored the midfield. Levante created the first dangerous chance of the match. In the 11th minute, goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a diving save to deny Dani Requena's shot. Atletico thought they had taken the lead in the 16th minute when Hjulmand put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Lee also tested the Levante goal. In the 25th minute, Lee received a backheel pass from Baena near the penalty area and fired a left-footed shot, but the ball sailed over the crossbar. The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute. After a Levante defender failed to clear a Baena pass, Alejandro Grimaldo collected the loose ball and drove a powerful shot into the net for the opening goal. Atletico continued to press after the break. In the 54th minute, Alvarez's free kick was saved by the goalkeeper, and David Hancko poked in the rebound, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside once again. A golden chance fell to Lee in the 55th minute. Receiving a pass from Barrios, Lee wasted no time and unleashed a left-footed shot that deflected off a defender and crashed against the crossbar. It was a fierce effort on goal, but the woodwork denied Lee. Atletico sealed the win with a second goal in the 62nd minute. Baena drove forward on the counter from deep, while Lee made a central run that drew the attention of the Levante defenders. That created space on the right for Giuliano Simeone, who collected Baena's pass and finished with a left-footed shot. Lee did not register a direct attacking point but contributed to the second goal by pulling defenders out of position with the run. Simeone substituted Lee and Alvarez simultaneously in the 67th minute, with Lee replaced by Alexander Sorloth after 67 minutes on the pitch. Atletico managed the remainder of the match comfortably, with Oblak and the defense combining to keep a clean sheet. The match also drew attention for the off-pitch significance of Lee's presence. Spanish sports outlet AS ran a piece titled "The Lee Kang-in effect: Atletico wakes up early," reporting that interest in scheduling matches at times convenient for Korean viewers has grown since Lee joined the club. The Levante match kicked off at 2 p.m. local time in Spain — a lunchtime slot domestically, but 10 p.m. on a Saturday in Korea, a prime viewing window for football fans. AS assessed that Lee's arrival has raised Atletico's profile in the Korean market. However, it has not been officially confirmed whether match scheduling has actually been adjusted on Lee's account. Lee started in a time slot well-suited for Korean viewers but could not convert chances, even as the team claimed a seventh straight league win and a temporary spot at the top of the table. Atletico face a demanding run of fixtures ahead, with matches against Bayern Munich and Barcelona coming in quick succession. Attention now turns to whether Lee, who showed attacking intent against Levante, can shake off bad luck with the woodwork and register an attacking point in the next match.

Nov. 1, 2026

Lee Kang-in starts against Levante as Spanish media cite 'Lee Kang-in effect' on kickoff times

Atletico Madrid's Lee Kang-in, 25, has been named in the starting lineup for Saturday's away match against Levante — a kickoff time that Korean fans will find convenient. Spanish media have begun analyzing how Lee's popularity is influencing La Liga's scheduling decisions. Atletico Madrid announced the starting XI ahead of the 2026-2027 La Liga season's 11th-round away fixture against Levante at Ciutat de Valencia in Valencia, Spain, kicking off at 10 p.m. Saturday (Korean Standard Time). Manager Diego Simeone named Lee alongside Julian Alvarez, Alex Baena, Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, Giuliano Simeone, Alejandro Grimaldo, David Hancko, Marc Pubill, Marcos Llorente and Jan Oblak in the starting eleven. Lee's inclusion in the starting lineup has drawn attention given Atletico's upcoming schedule. After the Levante match, the club faces Bayern Munich and Barcelona in quick succession. There had been speculation that Simeone might rest some key players ahead of those demanding fixtures. Atletico-focused outlet In the Calderon had listed Lee as a rotation candidate and suggested changes were possible in attack. Simeone, however, opted to start Lee, signaling that the club is prioritizing a win against Levante. Atletico currently sit second in the league with 25 points. The club aims to add three more points against Levante, who are 15th with 10 points, and stay in contention at the top of the table. Lee also started the previous match against Deportivo La Coruna, playing 67 minutes. Although Lee did not register an attacking contribution, Lee pressed the opposition defense with active movement throughout. Against Levante, Lee will look to end a run of six matches without a goal or assist. The kickoff time itself has also become a talking point. Spanish sports outlet AS ran a piece Saturday under the headline "The Lee Kang-in effect: Atletico wakes up early," analyzing how Lee's arrival has influenced the club's scheduling of match times. The Levante match kicks off at 2 p.m. local time in Spain. With Spain ending daylight saving time, the time difference with South Korea has widened to eight hours, allowing Korean fans to watch the game at 10 p.m. on a Saturday. While it is an early lunchtime kickoff in Spain, it falls squarely in what Korean viewers would consider prime time on a weekend evening. AS noted that since Lee joined Atletico, the club has increasingly been scheduled for 2 p.m. local kickoffs — a slot that draws relatively little interest in Spain but promises strong viewership demand in South Korea. This is the second time this season Atletico have played at 2 p.m. local time. The La Liga ninth-round away match against Espanyol on Oct. 17 also kicked off at the same time. Atletico won that game 1-0 thanks to a late winner from Alex Baena. Lee started but was substituted before the decisive goal was scored. AS also highlighted the reaction of the Korean broadcast team to Baena's winner that day, noting that the Korean commentators celebrated Atletico's victory with great enthusiasm even though Lee had already left the pitch. The early kickoff also requires adjustments from the squad. For a 2 p.m. match, Atletico players take their pre-match meal at 10 a.m., followed by massages and a tactical meeting at the hotel. A separate breakfast is also arranged at 7 a.m. for players who want it.

Oct. 31, 2026

Lee Ji-hyun leads S-Oil Championship after third-round 68, chases first KLPGA win

Three straight 68s put Lee atop leaderboard; Lee Ye-won one back Kim Min-sol fires daily-best 65 to jump into tie for 8th Lee Ji-hyun has moved into sole possession of the lead at the KLPGA Tour's S-Oil Championship, which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($749,000), as Lee bids for the first title of Lee's career. Lee carded six birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday at Elysian Jeju Country Club (par 72) in Jeju. The round — Lee's third consecutive 68 — lifted Lee to 12 under par (204) overall, one stroke clear of Lee Ye-won, who sits second at 11 under (205). Lee joined the KLPGA's regular tour in 2019 but has yet to claim a victory. This season Lee has finished in the top 10 seven times across 26 events, including three ties for third, consistently competing near the top of the leaderboard. Lee built momentum with four consecutive birdies from the fourth through seventh holes. Bogeys at the eighth (par 4) and 15th (par 4) briefly slowed the round, but Lee closed with back-to-back birdies at the 16th (par 3) and 17th (par 4) to secure the outright lead. After the round, Lee said the conditions had worked in favor of the field. "The wind was strong, but the greens were soft and receptive, so I was able to attack the pins aggressively," Lee said. For the final round, Lee added, "I will focus on my second shots and putts from one to two meters." Lee Ye-won, who had held the solo lead through Friday, shot a 2-under 70 on Saturday to fall to second at 11 under (205). A 10-time winner on the KLPGA Tour, Lee Ye-won is chasing a second title this season and an 11th overall. "It is actually more comfortable psychologically to be chasing from second than to start as the leader," Lee Ye-won said. "I want to win, but rather than thinking about beating someone, I will focus on my own game hole by hole and reduce my score." Lee Jae-yun sits alone in third at 10 under (206) and will join Lee Ji-hyun and Lee Ye-won in the final-round championship group. Kim Min-sol, the season's top money earner, fired the day's best round — a 7-under 65 featuring eight birdies and one bogey — to surge up the leaderboard. Kim jumped 47 spots from a tie for 55th on Friday to a tie for eighth. Kim enters the final round at 6 under (210), six strokes off the lead. Last year's champion Ko Ji-won is tied for 26th at 2 under (214).

Oct. 31, 2026

Bae Yong-jun leads Lexus Masters by 4 strokes, closing in on third career title

Park Jun-hong stumbles with back-to-back bogeys on holes 13 and 14 Jeong Chan-min, Jang Yu-bin share third place, 5 strokes back Bae Yong-jun has moved into sole possession of the lead by four strokes at the KPGA Tour Lexus Masters, which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($749,000), putting a third career title within reach. Bae carded five birdies and two bogeys for a 3-under-par 68 in the third round Saturday at Club72 Country Club's Ocean Course (par 71) in Incheon. With a 54-hole total of 12-under-par 201, Bae moved from a share of the lead into sole first place, opening a four-stroke gap over second-place Park Jun-hong (8-under-par 205) heading into the final round. Bae claimed a first KPGA title at the 2022 Honors K·Solago CC Han Jang-sang Invitational and a second at last year's KPGA Classic. Both events were played under a modified Stableford format, so a victory Sunday would give Bae three career wins and a first title in a stroke-play event. After picking up two strokes on the front nine, Bae extended the gap over Park on the back nine. While Park made back-to-back bogeys on the par-5 13th and par-4 14th holes, Bae birdied the 13th and parred the 14th — gaining three strokes on Park over just those two holes to cement the lead. Bae closed out the round in style on the par-5 18th, sticking a third shot to within about 1.2 meters of the cup before draining the birdie putt. Speaking after the round, Bae said the ball-striking was shaky early but the putting touch carried through. "My shots were quite unsteady at the start, but my putting was as good as it gets, which allowed me to keep the momentum going," Bae said. "On the front nine I played aggressively on the par-5 holes, and on the back nine I went for it boldly despite all the hazards — and that paid off." Bae added that the focus heading into the final round would stay on execution rather than the leaderboard. "Rather than worrying too much about the score, I'll give everything I have to each shot, just as I've been doing," Bae said. Park Jun-hong finished the day at 1-over-par 72, with two birdies and three bogeys. Park gained a stroke on the front nine but dropped two on the back, surrendering the shared lead to Bae. Jeong Chan-min, second in the Genesis Points standings, and Jang Yu-bin, third, both sit at 7-under-par 206 in a tie for third place — five strokes behind Bae. Shin Sang-hun, the Genesis Points leader, struggled to a 5-over-par 76 on Saturday and dropped to a share of 49th place at 2-over-par 215 for the tournament.

Oct. 31, 2026

Kim A-lim slips to tied 9th after subdued third round at Maybank Championship

Kang Min-ji cards 7-under 65 with eagle to join Kim at 11 under; Yamashita leads by two heading into final round Kim A-lim stumbled in the third round of the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship ($3 million purse) on Saturday, widening the gap between Kim and the leader. Kim carded four birdies and three bogeys for a 1-under 71 at the West Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (par 72) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At 11-under 205 for the tournament, Kim dropped from sole fourth place on Friday to tied ninth. Sole leader Yamashita Miyu of Japan sits at 18-under 198, leaving Kim seven strokes back — making a come-from-behind victory in the final round a tall order. Kim opened with back-to-back birdies on the par-5 third and par-3 fourth holes before dropping a shot with a bogey on the par-4 sixth. A birdie on the par-5 10th gave Kim momentum on the back nine, but consecutive bogeys on the par-3 15th and par-4 16th halted that progress. Kim salvaged one stroke with a closing birdie on the par-5 18th. Kang Min-ji, by contrast, fired a 7-under 65 featuring one eagle and six birdies against a single bogey. At 11-under 205 for the tournament, Kang joins Kim in a tie for ninth. Kang was particularly sharp on the front nine, picking up six strokes before the turn. Kang birdied the par-4 second, eagled the par-5 third, then added birdies on the par-5 fifth, par-4 seventh and par-3 eighth. On the back nine, Kang birdied the par-5 10th and par-4 17th before closing with a bogey on the par-5 18th. Yamashita shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to reach 18-under 198, holding sole first place for the second consecutive day. Yamashita leads joint runners-up Liu Yan of China and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France — both at 16-under 200 — by two strokes, putting Yamashita in a strong position to defend the title. Marissa Tojai of Thailand (amateur) and Robin Choi of Australia are tied for fourth at 14-under 202. Choi Hye-jin, who finished runner-up at last year's event after a playoff against Yamashita, carded a 2-under round Saturday and sits at 9-under 207 in a tie for 18th.

Oct. 31, 2026

Yamashita within reach of back-to-back Maybank Championship title, leads by 2

Yamashita Miyu of Japan holds a two-stroke lead at the Maybank Championship, an LPGA Tour event with a $3 million purse. Yamashita carded a 5-under-par 67 on Saturday (Korean Standard Time) in the third round at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club's West Course (par 72) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, moving to 18 under par (198) and opening a two-stroke gap over joint second-place Liu Yan of China and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France. Liu surged into a share of second place with a 9-under-par 63. Through 17 holes, Liu had collected nine birdies against two bogeys for a 7-under card, then holed out for eagle on the par-5 18th to a warm ovation from the gallery. Yamashita had opened with rounds of 7-under 65 and 6-under 66 to take an early lead, and kept the momentum going on moving day with six birdies and one bogey to post a 5-under 67, setting up a final-round start two strokes clear of the field. Yamashita won this event last year in a playoff against Choi Hye-jin and Hannah Green of Australia, making birdie on the first extra hole, and is now chasing back-to-back titles. In last year's final round, Yamashita began eight strokes behind leader Choi but fired a bogey-free, 7-birdie round to force a playoff and claim the title. Choi, meanwhile, stumbled to a 1-over-par 73, surrendering the lead and ultimately settling for a share of second place. Among South Korean players, Kang Min-ji and Kim A-rim sit highest on the leaderboard. Kang fired a 7-under 65 to reach 11 under par (205) for the tournament, joining Kim — who posted a 1-under round — in a tie for ninth. Kang had an eagle and six birdies through 17 holes before a bogey on the 18th took some shine off the round. Joo Su-bin shot a 4-under 68 to reach 10 under par (206), placing in a tie for 13th alongside Yang Hee-young, Lottie Woad of England and Carlota Ciganda of Spain. Choi Hye-jin carded three birdies and one bogey for a 2-under round, moving to 9 under par (207) and into a tie for 18th with Charley Hull of England, Yin Ruoning of China and Celine Boutier of France. Trailing Yamashita by nine strokes, Choi's chances of a title appear slim.

Oct. 31, 2026

Kim Ju-hyung takes 2-stroke penalty for wrong-ball play from bunker

Kim Ju-hyung received a two-stroke penalty during the second round of the PGA Tour's Vidanta World Mexico Open after playing a fellow competitor's ball from a bunker. Kim was penalized for a rules violation on the 9th hole (par 4), the final hole of the day, during Saturday's second round at Vidanta Vallarta (par 71, 7,337 yards) in Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico. Despite the penalty, Kim finished the round 3 under to sit at 7 under par and a total of 135 strokes, tied for 25th place. Starting from the 10th hole, Kim played 17 holes without a bogey, picking up five birdies. Trouble arrived on the closing 9th hole, when Kim's second shot found a greenside bunker. By coincidence, the ball of playing partner and defending champion Bryan Campbell of the United States had come to rest in the same bunker, and the two players inadvertently struck each other's ball. Both were assessed two-stroke penalties for wrong-ball play under Rule 6.3c, which states that in stroke play a player who strikes a wrong ball — one belonging to another competitor — incurs a two-stroke penalty. What would have been a par for each player became a double bogey. Andrew Novak of the United States fired a 10-under-par 61 to move to 14 under, 128 strokes total, and take sole possession of the lead. Novak holds a three-stroke advantage over the group tied for second, which includes Matthieu Pavon of France and Ben Griffin of the United States.

Oct. 31, 2026

From WWE star to homeless: The fall of Perry Saturn

Lost home and fortune to drug addiction, spent years on the streets A pet dog pulled Saturn back from the brink Perry Saturn, 60, once a star of WWE, has opened up about losing everything to drug addiction and living on the streets — and about a recent emergency room visit after contracting COVID-19. Saturn spoke in detail on Chris Van Vliet's podcast "Insight," recounting the drug addiction, homelessness and a shooting incident that followed his departure from WWE. Saturn recalled that it took only about eight months to go from appearing on WWE television to living on the streets. Saturn lost his home and all his possessions, and at one point was reduced to hiding from fans who recognized him. Born Perry Arthur Satullo, Saturn built his career through ECW and WCW in the 1990s before reaching WWE. Known by the nickname "The Gargoyle," Saturn was recognized for two signature moves: the Rings of Saturn, a submission hold that immobilizes an opponent's arms, and the Death Valley Driver, a powerful slam. In ECW, Saturn teamed with John Kronus to form the Eliminators, winning the tag team championship three times. In WCW, Saturn captured the TV championship. In 2000, Saturn moved to WWE alongside Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko as a member of the Radicalz, going on to hold both the European Championship and the Hardcore Championship. Behind the glittering career, however, was a serious drug addiction. Saturn said he was using heavily even during his active years, but that the structure of matches and travel schedules at least helped him maintain some semblance of a routine. After leaving WWE, his income fell while his free time expanded, and the addiction worsened. Saturn ultimately lost his home and all his assets, spending years homeless. In 2004, Saturn was shot. Saturn said he was on his way to obtain drugs when he witnessed a woman being attacked, intervened, and was shot in the neck and shoulder. The shooting came at a particularly cruel moment — Saturn had just undergone knee surgery and was preparing to return to the ring. There was a moment when Saturn was ready to give up entirely. Homeless in Iowa one winter, Saturn was on the verge of ending his life with a drug overdose when his dog came over and rested its head on his knee. Seeing the animal depend on him gave Saturn a reason to live, he recalled. Saturn began putting his life back together and said he broke free from drug addiction in 2010. The physical toll of years in the ring has also been severe. Saturn underwent surgery to replace both shoulders and both hips, and spent about a year in a wheelchair. Significant loss of function in one hand left Saturn qualifying for disability benefits. More recently, Saturn has reconnected with fans by launching a YouTube channel. The channel met the platform's monetization requirements within three days of its launch, drawing strong interest as Saturn shares stories from his wrestling career and turbulent life. Health problems remain an ongoing concern. Saturn said through his YouTube channel Wednesday that he had contracted COVID-19 for the third time and also developed an upper respiratory infection, requiring emergency room treatment. Saturn said his breathing deteriorated and he lost his voice, keeping him in the emergency room for about 48 hours. Saturn said his condition improved after treatment and that he is currently recovering.

Oct. 31, 2026

Kia stuns Samsung in Game 4 to force decisive Game 5 in Daegu

Castro, Han Jun-su and Ha Ju-seok deliver clutch RBI hits after Samsung third baseman's error opens the door The Kia Tigers pulled off a thrilling comeback victory from the brink of elimination, forcing the Korean Baseball Organization playoff series (best-of-five) to a decisive Game 5. Trailing 1-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Kia erupted for three runs to defeat the Samsung Lions 4-2 in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason playoff at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on Friday. With the series now tied at two games apiece, the two clubs will meet Sunday at 2 p.m. at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, with a berth in the Korean Series on the line. Samsung seized control early. In the top of the second inning, consecutive singles by Kim Yeong-ung and Kang Min-ho set up runners at first and second with one out, and Ryu Ji-hyeok drove in the opening run with an RBI single to right field — putting Kia starter James Naile, making his first start in four days, on the back foot from the outset. Kia, kept in check by Samsung starter Chris Flexen, struck back in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and runners at first and second — created by a leadoff single and stolen base by Kim Do-yeong and a walk to Na Sung-bum — Han Jun-su laced an RBI single past the third baseman to level the score at 1-1. Samsung retook the lead at 2-1 in the top of the sixth when Choi Hyeong-u launched a solo home run to right-center field, but the momentum swung decisively toward Kia in the bottom of the seventh. Kim Do-yeong led off the seventh by reaching second base on a fielding error by Samsung third baseman Kim Yeong-ung. Harold Castro then tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI single off Satoshi Miyamori. With two outs and runners at first and third, Han Jun-su drove a forkball from Samsung's Lee Jae-hee through the right side of the infield for a go-ahead RBI single, and Ha Ju-seok followed with an RBI single to left to push the score to 4-2. With the lead secured, Kia turned to closer Jeon Sang-hyeon from the eighth inning onward. Jeon retired all six batters faced over two perfect innings to earn the save. Jo Sang-u, who entered in the sixth and threw one and two-thirds scoreless innings, was credited with the win. Designated hitter Han Jun-su, batting sixth, was the game's standout performer, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs — including the tying and go-ahead hits. Samsung, meanwhile, got a solid outing from Flexen, who allowed just one run over five and a third innings, but a critical fielding error in the seventh unraveled the Lions' bid for a series-clinching victory.

Oct. 30, 2026

Park Jun-hong, Bae Yong-jun share lead after round 2 of Lexus Masters

At 9 under par, the co-leaders chase first and third KPGA wins respectively First-round leader Jeong Yu-jun shoots 81 to miss cut Park Jun-hong and Bae Yong-jun moved into a share of the lead after the second round of the KPGA Tour Lexus Masters, setting up a two-round chase for the title. Park carded a bogey-free 4-under-par 67 on Friday at Club72 Country Club's Ocean Course (par 71) in Incheon, posting an eagle and two birdies. The round left Park at 9-under 133 for the tournament, tied atop the leaderboard with Bae. Kang Gyeong-nam sat alone in third at 7-under 135. Park made his KPGA regular tour debut in 2022 and has yet to claim a victory. A tie for second at last year's Woori Financial Group Championship remains the best result of his career. Starting from the 10th hole, Park picked up two birdies on the front nine to get under par. On the back nine's par-5 fifth hole, Park reached the green in two and drained an eagle putt from about 6 meters. "I think focusing on my short game is what allowed me to play bogey-free yesterday and today," Park said after the round. "I'll try to be as aggressive as possible on the holes where I can and pick up more birdies and eagles to keep pushing the score down," Park added. Bae posted a 6-under 65 on Friday, making eight birdies against two bogeys. The round puts Bae in position to claim a third career KPGA title, roughly one year and five months after winning the KPGA Classic in May last year. "My ball-striking felt solid, and my putting was particularly perfect," Bae said. "Inside 3 meters I could really read the lines clearly, so I played with a lot of confidence." Looking ahead to the remaining rounds, Bae said form in the second half of the season had lifted confidence. "My results haven't been bad in the second half of the year, so my confidence is high. I'll make sure to get good sleep so I don't feel sluggish, and just play my game the way I normally do," Bae said. Shin Sang-hun, the Genesis points standings leader, shot 1-over 72 on Friday to sit at 3-under 139 through two rounds, tied for 12th — six strokes off the pace. Shin made three birdies but gave back strokes with two bogeys and a double bogey. The double bogey came on the back nine's par-4 sixth hole, where a tee shot that sailed into the left rough forced Shin to declare an unplayable lie and take a one-stroke penalty. Jang Yu-bin, third in the Genesis points standings, carded a 1-under 70 with an eagle, two birdies and three bogeys. Jang is tied for seventh at 4-under 138, five strokes behind the leaders. First-round leader Jeong Yu-jun, who had shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday, collapsed with a 10-over 81 on Friday. Two double bogeys and four bogeys among other miscues left Jeong 16 strokes worse than the day before. At 4-over 146 for the tournament, Jeong missed the cut line of 2-over 144 and was eliminated.

Oct. 30, 2026