Kim A-rim cards bogey-free 8-birdie round, trails leader Yamashita by 3

Kim A-rim moved into sole fourth place at the Maybank Championship, the third event of the LPGA Tour's Asian Swing, which carries a $3 million purse. Playing the second round Friday at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club West Course (par 72) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kim carded eight birdies without a bogey to post the day's best round. At 10 under par through 36 holes with a total of 134, Kim trails leader Yamashita Miyu of Japan by three strokes heading into Saturday's moving day. Kim opened with birdies on the 1st and 3rd holes, then added three more on Nos. 7, 9 and 11 to move five under for the day. After parring four straight holes, Kim closed with birdies on three consecutive holes — Nos. 16, 17 and 18 — to climb to the top of the leaderboard. Defending champion Yamashita, who fired a 7-under 65 in the opening round, again went bogey-free Friday with six birdies to reach 13 under par at 131 for the tournament. Yamashita leads joint second-place Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France by two strokes. Veteran Yang Hee-young shot a bogey-free 67 with five birdies to reach 9 under par at 135, joining Charley Hull of England and Maja Stark of Sweden, among others, in a tie for fifth. Choi Hye-jin, who has finished runner-up in two consecutive tournaments in recent weeks, carded a 2-under round to sit at 7 under par at 137, tied for 11th alongside Hwang Yu-min. Choi was also runner-up at this event last year, losing to Yamashita in a playoff.

Oct. 30, 2026

Lee Ye-won takes solo lead at S-Oil Championship after round 2

Cards 4-under 68 to reach 9-under 135 at halfway mark; money leader Kim Min-sol barely makes cut Lee Ye-won has moved into sole possession of the lead at the KLPGA Tour S-Oil Championship (purse: 1 billion won, $749,000), putting Lee in position to claim a first victory in six months. Lee carded five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under 68 in the second round Friday at Elysian Jeju Country Club (par 72) in Jeju. The round lifted Lee to a halfway total of 9-under 135, leaving Lee Ji-hyun, Jung So-yi and Lee Jae-yun — all at 8-under 136 — one stroke back. Lee had been in sole second place Thursday and moved up one spot. A 10-time winner on the KLPGA Tour, Lee claimed her first victory of the season at the Dukshin EPC Championship in April. A win this week would give Lee a second title of the season and the 11th of the career, roughly six months after that last triumph. Lee built momentum on the front nine, picking up four birdies over the first nine holes. A steady run of pars on the back nine was interrupted at the par-4 17th, where a tee shot into a penalty area led to Lee's only bogey of the day and briefly allowed a share of the lead. Lee responded immediately at the par-5 18th, placing a third shot to within about 2 meters of the hole and converting the birdie putt to reclaim the outright lead. "I felt my game had improved a lot over the past month," Lee said after the round. "I had the shot feel to win, but I couldn't quite seize the opportunities." Lee added: "Now that another chance to win has come, I will stay focused until the very end." Moon Jung-min fired a 6-under 66 to move to 7-under 137 and into sole fifth place. Park Hye-jun also had a strong round, shooting 7-under 65 to climb to 6-under 138 and a share of sixth. Season money leader Kim Min-sol, by contrast, struggled to a 1-over 73, managing three birdies against four bogeys. Kim slipped to a share of 55th at 1-over 145 for the tournament, barely clearing the cut line to advance to the third round.

Oct. 30, 2026

Kim A-rim surges 26 spots with 8-birdie round at Maybank Championship

Bogey-free 8-under 64 puts her 3 shots off leader Yamashita; Yang Hee-young tied fifth, Choi Hye-jin and Hwang Yu-min tied 11th Kim A-rim fired eight birdies in the second round of the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship ($3 million purse) on Friday, vaulting 26 places up the leaderboard. Playing the West Course at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (par 72) in Malaysia, Kim carded a bogey-free, 8-under-par 64 to move to 10-under 134 for the tournament. Kim climbed from a tie for 30th after Thursday's opening round to sole fourth place. Defending champion Yamashita Miyu of Japan leads at 13-under 131, three shots clear. Kim built momentum early, collecting five birdies through the 11th hole. After steadying with four consecutive pars from the 12th through the 15th, Kim added another birdie at the par-4 16th. The run continued with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th, closing with three birdies over the final three holes and setting up a platform to chase the leader over the weekend. Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France share second place at 11-under 133. Among South Korean players, Yang Hee-young also sits near the top of the leaderboard. Yang shot a 5-under 67 on Friday to reach 9-under 135, tied for fifth alongside Charley Hull of England, four shots off the lead. Choi Hye-jin, who has finished runner-up in each of the past two events, carded a 2-under 70 to sit at 7-under 137, tied for 11th. Hwang Yu-min is also at 7-under 137, level with Choi.

Oct. 30, 2026

GDR Academy to launch physical-swing training program in November

GDR Academy to debut new program at Seongnam Pangyo branch on Nov. 9 GDR Academy, an indoor golf academy operated by Golfzon, will launch a new program called GDR Performance on Nov. 9, combining physical fitness training with swing technique instruction. The academy announced Friday that the program moves beyond conventional swing-correction lessons to analyze a golfer's body movement and athletic ability. GDR Performance begins with a preliminary assessment to identify each participant's physical characteristics, then delivers customized training based on the results. The program pairs physical conditioning — targeting mobility, balance, strength and power essential to the golf swing — with technical drills designed to improve swing accuracy and efficiency. The program will launch first at the company-owned Seongnam Pangyo branch before expanding to other directly operated locations. Ahead of the launch, the academy is running an early-reservation promotion through Nov. 6 that includes discounts and a complimentary tubing band. "GDR Performance was conceived around the insight that physical capability is just as important as technical training in achieving a more complete golf swing," said Baek Du-hwan, executive director of GDR Academy. "We hope golfers will experience meaningful improvements in their swing performance through systematic training tailored to their individual physical characteristics."

Oct. 30, 2026

Combat sports in Korea and Japan rocked by criminal cases involving fighters with gang ties

Assault suspect aided by yakuza boss; Kim Jung-woo attacks civilian, Kim Jae-hoon held in gold smuggling case Combat sports organizations in South Korea and Japan are facing scrutiny over their recruitment and oversight practices after a string of criminal cases involving fighters with organized crime backgrounds. In Japan, a former RIZIN fighter was arrested on assault charges after allegedly beating a civilian into serious injury — a case that drew in the leader of a yakuza-affiliated gang. In South Korea, similar controversies have emerged, raising questions about the responsibility promotions bear when they sign fighters with criminal histories. According to Japan's Kyodo News and Abema Times, Fukui Prefectural Police arrested former sumo wrestler and MMA fighter Taka Kenshin, 29, on Wednesday on assault charges. Taka is accused of attacking a man in his 40s whom he did not know on a road in Fukui City at around 10:30 p.m. on July 24, leaving the victim with serious injuries. A 45-year-old man who was with Taka at the time was also arrested on the same charges. The victim suffered a skull fracture and acute subdural hematoma, injuries expected to require about three months of recovery. Reports indicated the victim briefly lost consciousness at the scene, underscoring the severity of the attack. The case also implicated the leader of a gang affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi, one of Japan's largest organized crime syndicates. Police arrested a 60-year-old man on suspicion of helping another suspect in the assault flee from authorities. Taka had risen to the top division of professional sumo, known as makuuchi, before being dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association in 2021 after testing positive for cannabis use. Taka subsequently transitioned to mixed martial arts and competed on the RIZIN card. Even in that fighting career, Taka was not without controversy, and the assault arrest marks the latest entanglement with the law. A similar controversy has unfolded in South Korea. Kim Jung-woo, a fighter who has publicly acknowledged a past in organized crime, drew widespread condemnation in September after footage from a live internet broadcast showed him using a dangerous submission technique on a civilian. Kim applied a standing guillotine choke — a technique that cuts off blood flow to the brain while the opponent remains upright — to a man in his 20s. Even after the victim tapped out multiple times to signal submission, Kim did not release the hold. The victim lost consciousness and fell, striking the back of his head hard against the floor. After the victim collapsed, Kim was seen making jokes rather than rendering immediate first aid. The victim was transported to a hospital and was reported to have experienced partial paralysis. Police have booked Kim on assault charges without detention and are continuing their investigation. ZFN, the promotion that had signed Kim despite his known gang background, moved quickly to terminate his contract after the incident became public. Kim Jae-hoon, who competed in South Korea under the nickname "Yakuza Fighter," also sparked controversy last year after being arrested in Japan on gold smuggling charges. In January 2025, Japanese police arrested Kim on suspicion of attempting to smuggle approximately 3.5 kilograms of pure gold through Kansai International Airport without declaring it to customs. The gold was valued at around 440 million won ($329,000) at the time. According to Japanese police, Kim's group tried to disguise the gold as medals won at martial arts competitions. Couriers carried the gold — fashioned into the shape of medals — hanging around their necks or concealed beneath their clothing, and the items were detected during a customs inspection. Investigators determined that Kim had played a role in recruiting couriers for the smuggling operation, and Japanese media reported that Kim acknowledged the charges. Kim was released after roughly two and a half months in custody and later appeared on a YouTube channel run by a figure in the Japanese combat sports world, where Kim expressed regret over the actions. Kim had drawn attention for publicly disclosing a past membership in a Japanese yakuza organization and had competed in promotions including Road FC. The gold smuggling case prevented Kim from competing in a Road FC bout scheduled for September last year. A fighter's past alone cannot bar participation in competition. But promotions that capitalize on a fighter's notoriety and provocative background to drive ticket sales, critics argue, have a corresponding obligation to establish rigorous vetting standards and management systems for the athletes they sign.

Oct. 30, 2026

Kim Ju-hyung starts Mexico Open tied 22nd, five strokes off lead

Kim Ju-hyung opened his PGA Tour Vidanta World Mexico Open campaign tied for 22nd place. Kim carded five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under-par 67 at Vidanta Vallarta (par 71) in Vallarta, Mexico, on Friday (Korean Standard Time), placing tied for 23rd. Karl Vilips of Austria leads at 9-under 62, five strokes ahead of Kim. Kim entered the tournament after a period of rest and preparation following a gold medal in the men's individual event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games golf competition in Japan earlier this month. Despite the extended break, Kim's ball-striking showed no signs of rust. Kim made a fast start, draining three consecutive birdies on holes 2 through 4 from distances of 3 meters, 5 meters and 2.5 meters. A missed green on the par-3 seventh led to a bogey, but Kim bounced back with back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11 from 2.5 and 3.4 meters. Hirata Kensei of Japan, the 2024 Shinhan Donghae Open champion, fired an 8-under 63 to sit alone in second place. Kensei, whose mother is a second-generation Korean resident of Japan, posted an eagle and six birdies without a bogey to climb near the top of the leaderboard. Korean American Jeffrey Kang (Korean name: Kang Ju-myung) carded seven birdies with no bogeys for a 7-under 64, joining Ben Griffin of the United States and Marco Penge of England in a tie for third. Kang, the son of session drummer Kang Su-ho, made his PGA Tour debut this season.

Oct. 30, 2026

Samsung look to close out series, Kia fight to survive as Fedde, Nails rematch in Game 4

Fedde threw 94 pitches in Game 1, Nails just 57 — both return after three days' rest Bullpens heavily taxed; Won Tae-in, Yang Hyeon-jong on standby for relief The Samsung Lions and Kia Tigers meet in a pivotal Game 4 Friday, with a Korean Series berth on the line. Samsung need just one more win to advance, while Kia — backs against the wall — must win to force a deciding Game 5. The two teams face off at 6:30 p.m. at Gwangju's Kia Champions Field in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Playoff, a best-of-five series. Samsung defeated Kia 6-4 Thursday to take a 2-1 series lead, bouncing back from a Game 1 loss with two straight wins and moving within one victory of the Korean Series. Samsung will send Chris Fedde to the mound, with Kia countering with James Nails — the same foreign-pitcher matchup from Game 1 on Monday, with both returning after just three days of rest. The two starters both exited before completing five innings in that game, but under very different circumstances. Nails was dominant, allowing just one hit and one run over 4⅓ innings, before being automatically ejected in the bottom of the fifth after hitting Park Seung-gyu in the head — a violation of the headshot rule. Nails had thrown only 57 pitches. Fedde, by contrast, surrendered five hits including two home runs and gave up five runs over 4⅔ innings, taking the loss. Fedde's pitch count reached 94. With such a short turnaround, physical recovery is a key variable. Fedde, who threw 37 more pitches than Nails in Game 1, may carry a heavier burden heading into the rematch. Regular-season head-to-head numbers also favor Nails. Nails went 2-0 against Samsung with a 3.24 ERA, while Fedde was 0-2 against Kia with a 5.25 ERA. Samsung Manager Park Jin-man addressed Fedde's quick return to the mound. "In the regular season, we manage pitchers carefully because it's a long race, but the postseason is a short series — you have to throw everything you have at it," Park said. "Fedde said he was happy to go. He told me he felt bad about Game 1 and wanted to get revenge." The pressure on both starters is amplified by the state of each team's bullpen. Samsung burned through relievers in Game 3 after starter Choi Won-tae exited after just 1⅔ innings having allowed two runs, forcing the club to deploy Bae Chan-seung, Lee Jae-hee and others in succession. Ace Won Tae-in was eventually called in from the bullpen and earned the win, pitching 1⅔ innings and allowing one run. Samsung used six relievers in that game. Won and Lee Seung-min would each be pitching on three consecutive days if they appear again Friday — a significant concern. Moving Won to the bullpen proved an effective gamble, but the physical toll of back-to-back appearances cannot be ignored. Kia also emptied their pitching staff in Game 3, deploying nine pitchers including starter Shirakawa Keisho — tying the all-time playoff record for most pitchers used by one team in a single game — yet still could not prevent the loss. In response, Kia Manager Lee Beom-ho said veteran Yang Hyeon-jong and every available pitcher would be on standby in the bullpen. "If we had won Game 3, Yang Hyeon-jong could have started Game 4," Lee said. "But to maximize our chances of winning, it makes more sense to go with Nails first. In Game 4, Yang Hyeon-jong and every other pitcher will be waiting in the bullpen." Samsung also plan to keep Won Tae-in available in relief. However, with both teams having heavily depleted their pitching staffs in earlier games, how deep each starter can go figures to be one of the most critical factors in deciding the series.

Oct. 30, 2026

Whittaker backs Volkanovski to beat Gaethje '100 percent'

Whittaker confident fellow Australian can claim second title Backs superfight plan and joint retirement idea Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker of Australia has given a strong endorsement of fellow Australian Alexander Volkanovski's chances of becoming a two-division champion, saying Volkanovski would be certain to defeat lightweight champion Justin Gaethje if the two were to meet. MMA Junkie reported Thursday (local time) that Whittaker made the comments on his "MMArcade Podcast," expressing hope that a superfight between Volkanovski and Gaethje would come together. "I want to see Volkanovski fight Gaethje," Whittaker said. "Because Volkanovski is going to beat Gaethje. Definitely going to win. I'm 100 percent sure of it." Volkanovski most recently defended the featherweight title at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Saturday, stopping unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev of Russia by TKO at 4 minutes 54 seconds of the second round. The victory gave Volkanovski nine wins in featherweight title bouts, moving him past Jose Aldo of Brazil to stand alone as the all-time leader in that category. Volkanovski also extended his featherweight title defenses to seven, drawing level with Aldo. After the fight, Volkanovski named a bout with lightweight champion Gaethje as his next goal — and drew particular attention by suggesting the two fighters could face each other and then retire together. Whittaker was enthusiastic about that vision. "It's a beautiful thing — two guys pouring everything into it, hanging up their gloves together and cementing their legacies," Whittaker said. "It would be a fantastic ending, like finding treasure at the end of a rainbow." The lightweight title remains the one prize that has eluded Volkanovski. In 2023, Volkanovski challenged then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev of Russia twice but lost both bouts, falling short of a two-division title. Volkanovski has continued to show elite-level form at featherweight, however, compiling a career record of 29 wins and four losses. After defeating Diego Lopes of Brazil twice, Volkanovski added the previously unbeaten Evloev to that run. Whittaker also said Volkanovski is undervalued because of his age, noting that the betting odds for the Evloev fight were set close to even before the bout. "It seems like featherweights don't realize how good Volkanovski is until they're actually standing in front of him," Whittaker said. Volkanovski has previously beaten Max Holloway three times and also holds a win over Aldo. Whittaker said he finds it hard to understand why doubts about Volkanovski keep resurfacing despite that record. The UFC has also left the door open for the matchup. UFC CEO Dana White reacted positively to Volkanovski's proposal after UFC 333, saying, "Given what he's accomplished, there's not much we'd say no to." Volkanovski has said he intends to retire after a fight with Gaethje regardless of the outcome, framing it as a final bid for a second title while making clear he does not want to hold up the lightweight division in the process.

Oct. 30, 2026

'Emperor' Fedor eyes boxing match with Ngannou, blasts White

'Injuries rule out MMA return, but boxing is possible' 'White keeps changing his story — he doesn't keep his word' Fedor Emelianenko (50, Russia), the "Last Emperor" who stood atop the combat sports world in the 2000s, has expressed interest in a boxing match against Francis Ngannou (40, Cameroon) — while also unleashing sharp criticism at UFC CEO Dana White. MMA Fighting, a US-based MMA outlet, reported Friday that Fedor told Russian media outlet Ushatayка in an interview that he would welcome a boxing bout with Ngannou. Asked which opponent he most wanted to fight, Fedor named Ngannou. Current injuries make an MMA return unlikely, Fedor said, but left the door open for a boxing match. Fedor denied rumors that negotiations with Ngannou's camp were already underway. Fedor also assessed Ngannou's boxing credentials, praising a powerful frame, punching power and fast hands, while noting that Ngannou's attack patterns are relatively straightforward and could be countered. Fedor said hand speed remains competitive and called it a fight worth having. Fedor built a legend dominating the heavyweight division of Japan's Pride FC, which was considered a higher level of competition than the UFC at the time. Fedor retired after suffering a first-round TKO loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 290 in February 2023. The MMA record stands at 40 wins, 7 losses and 1 no-contest. Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion in his own right. After leaving the UFC in 2023, Ngannou expanded into boxing, facing Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Ngannou lost a split decision to Fury in a closely contested bout and was stopped by Joshua in the second round. Should the two meet, it would be a rare clash between legends of MMA heavyweight fighting — this time on a boxing canvas. However, Fedor's age, injury history and the denial of any active negotiations make it difficult to predict whether the fight will actually come together. Fedor also revisited a long-running friction with the UFC in the interview, particularly criticizing White for what Fedor described as inconsistent behavior over contract talks. Fedor said the UFC showed little interest when he was a free agent, only to pursue a deal after he had signed with another organization. Fedor recalled the situation in 2009, when he re-signed with Strikeforce after defeating Brett Rogers. Signing a separate deal with the UFC while already under contract elsewhere would have risked legal disputes that could have kept Fedor out of competition entirely, Fedor explained. "First he said he wanted me, then he said he didn't," Fedor said of White. "Then he said he regretted not signing me, and now he says he's glad he didn't. He keeps changing his story. He doesn't keep his word." The question of whether Fedor would ever sign with the UFC has long fascinated combat sports fans. After Pride's collapse, the UFC pursued Fedor but a deal never materialized. White also explored a matchup between Brock Lesnar and Fedor. Notably, Ngannou — the very fighter Fedor said he wants to face — also had a bitter contract dispute with the UFC. Ngannou departed while still holding the heavyweight title and went on to compete in boxing and other MMA promotions.

Oct. 30, 2026

An Ji-min scores hole-in-one, wins new Lexus ES 350e

An Ji-min scored a hole-in-one on the opening day of the KPGA Tour Lexus Masters on Thursday, winning a Lexus vehicle as a prize. Playing at Club72 CC Ocean Course (par 71) on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, An aced the par-3 9th hole from 172 yards to claim an All-New Lexus ES 350e Premium as the hole-in-one prize. It was the second hole-in-one of An's career. The first came in May at the KPGA Founders Cup, when An holed out on the par-3 14th hole in the opening round. "I was playing into a headwind, so I aimed right and tried to keep the ball low, thinking it was about 170 meters," An said. "It didn't come off quite the way I intended, but the wind actually carried it in a good direction. I remember the ball bouncing twice after it landed and then going in." All five par-3 holes at this tournament carry hole-in-one prizes. The 3rd and 8th holes offer a Lexus NX350h, the 9th and 17th a Lexus ES 350e, and the 12th a Ceragem Master V11 and Pause M6. Jeong Yu-jun fired eight birdies against two bogeys for a 6-under-par 65 to take the lead, one stroke ahead of second-place Park Jun-hong. A pupil of pro Park Sung-kuk, Jeong sits 111th in the season points standings and needs a victory to secure a tour card for next year. Shin Sang-hun, the Genesis Points leader, was tied for third at 4 under through 17 holes when play was suspended due to darkness, alongside Kim Seung-hyeok and Kang Gyeong-nam. Shin is scheduled to complete the remaining 18th hole at 9:10 a.m. Friday before teeing off in the second round.

Oct. 29, 2026

Shin Sang-hun, KPGA points leader, sits tied third after opening round of Lexus Masters

Plays 17 holes before sunset suspension, cards 4-under Trails solo leader Jeong Yu-jun by two strokes Shin Sang-hun, the leader in KPGA Tour Genesis Points, kept his momentum going Thursday, moving into contention on the opening day of the Lexus Masters, which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($748,000). Playing at Club72 Country Club's Ocean Course (par 71) in Incheon, Shin completed 17 holes of the first round, carding five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under score before play was suspended. Shin could not finish the 18th hole (par 5) due to sunset and stood tied for third when the round was halted. Solo leader Jeong Yu-jun posted eight birdies and two bogeys for a 6-under 65, holding a two-stroke advantage. Shin, who teed off in the final group, had driven the fairway on the 18th before play was called. The remaining hole is scheduled to be completed Friday morning. Shin has been in strong form since winning the Golfzon Open in September, recording five consecutive top-10 finishes. That run includes a tie for eighth at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational, a tie for sixth at the Amazing Cree Open, a runner-up finish at The Charity Classic, and a tie for fourth at the most recent Genesis Championship. That form has carried Shin to the top of the Genesis Points standings. Shin leads with 5,255.51 points, ahead of Jeong Chan-min in second with 4,744.77 and Jang Yu-bin in third with 4,576.75. If Shin wins this tournament while Jeong Chan-min finishes fourth or lower and Jang Yu-bin finishes second or lower, Shin will clinch the Genesis Award for the first time in his career regardless of the season finale's outcome. Only the KPGA Tour Championship, opening Nov. 5 in Jeju, remains after this event. Despite rain and strong winds, Shin made a strong start, picking up four birdies on the front nine. After adding a birdie at the 15th (par 4), Shin's second shot at the 16th (par 4) fell short of the green into the rough, but a 2.3-meter par putt saved the hole. At the 17th (par 3) as darkness fell, Shin hit the green off the tee but three-putted for a bogey, dropping one stroke. Solo leader Jeong Yu-jun, who urgently needs to secure a tour card for next season, surged to the top of the leaderboard on day one. Ranked 111th in Genesis Points, Jeong said after the round: "The wind was strong and it affected my ball-striking, but my putting was solid. The putts kept dropping today, which let me finish with a good score. I'll try not to think about the standings in the remaining rounds and just play with a relaxed mind." Only the top 70 players in Genesis Points after this tournament will qualify for the season finale, making the result here especially critical for Jeong. Jang Yu-bin, third in the Genesis Points standings, opened with a 3-under 68 — five birdies and two bogeys — to sit tied for sixth. Jeong Chan-min, second in the standings, carded a 1-under 70 to sit tied for 17th.

Oct. 29, 2026

Unknown Jung So-i surges to surprise lead at S-Oil Championship

Little-known Jung So-i shot to a surprise lead on the opening day of the KLPGA Tour's S-Oil Championship on Thursday. Jung carded nine birdies against three bogeys for a 6-under-par 66 at Elysian Jeju Country Club (par 72) in Jeju, taking a one-stroke lead over Lee Ye-won in second place. Jung joined the KLPGA Tour in 2020 but has yet to claim a victory on the regular tour; the best finish this season was a solo sixth at the Siena Open. Jung opened with a birdie on the first hole before a bogey on the second briefly slowed the momentum, but quickly recovered with three consecutive birdies on holes 3 through 5. Back-to-back birdies on holes 8 and 9 were followed by another three-birdie run on holes 12 through 14, showcasing sharp touch around the greens. "I think the putts really came through for me, which helped me save a lot of strokes," Jung said after the round. "My ball-striking feels really good right now, and I want to keep that feeling going all the way to the end." Lee Ye-won posted a clean 5-under-par 67 with five birdies and no bogeys to claim sole second place. "Both my first win and my second win on the regular tour came here on Jeju Island, so I have a lot of good memories," Lee said. "That's why every time I come to Jeju, I step onto the course with those memories in mind. I'll play with confidence and give my best in the remaining rounds." Defending champion Ko Ji-won closed with a birdie-eagle finish on holes 17 and 18 to card a 4-under-par 68, joining Seong Yu-jin, Seo Eo-jin, Gil Ye-ram and Yang Hyo-jin in a tie for third. "As the defending champion, I won't deny that I want to win," Ko said. "But rather than fixating on the result, I want to focus on my own game and play in a way that I can be satisfied with." Kim Min-sol, who is chasing the money title, traded two birdies for two bogeys to finish at even par, starting the tournament in a tie for 34th alongside Yoo Hyeon-jo, Kim Su-ji and Moon Jeong-min. Jo A-yeon, playing in her retirement tournament, shot a 1-over-par 73 to sit in a tie for 47th with Park Bo-gyeom, Lim Hee-jeong and Park Gyeol.

Oct. 29, 2026

Choi Hye-jin opens Maybank Championship in tie for 6th, chasing elusive first LPGA win

Choi Hye-jin opened the Maybank Championship — the third event of the LPGA Tour's Asian Swing — in a tie for sixth place Thursday. Choi carded eight birdies against three bogeys for a 5-under-par 67 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club West Course (par 72) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, sharing sixth place with Hwang Yu-min. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France leads at 8 under, three strokes clear of Choi. Choi made three birdies in the first five holes, including a 3-meter birdie putt on the fifth, before back-to-back bogeys on the sixth and seventh threatened to derail the round. After trading a birdie and bogey on the ninth and 10th, Choi closed strong with four more birdies — consecutive ones on the 13th and 14th, then alternating birdies on the 16th and 18th. Choi has finished runner-up in each of the past two weeks, at the Buick LPGA Shanghai and the BMW Ladies Championship. Despite 12 wins on the KLPGA Tour — including two as an amateur — Choi has yet to claim a victory on the LPGA Tour and has now recorded nine runner-up finishes. Last year at this same event, Choi reached a playoff but lost to Yamashita Miyu of Japan, settling for second place once again. Hwang, who is chasing the Rookie of the Year award, also sits at 5 under after six birdies and one bogey. Starting on the 10th hole, Hwang reeled off six straight birdies through the sixth hole of the front nine before a bogey on the par-4 seventh spoiled an otherwise clean card. Defending champion Yamashita fired a 7-under 65 to share second place with Sofia Schubert of the United States. Charley Hull of England and Perrine Delacour of France are tied for fourth at 6-under 66. Yin Ruoning of China, who won the Buick LPGA Shanghai two weeks ago, is in a tie for 12th at 4-under 68, alongside Yang Hee-young and Kang Min-ji, among others. Yoshida Yuri of Japan, who won the BMW Ladies Championship last week, is tied for 21st at 3-under 69, joined by Ko Jin-young and Lee Mi-hyang, among others. Ryu Hae-ran, who shared the runner-up finish with Choi at last week's BMW Ladies Championship, withdrew before the first round with a finger injury. Sema Sports Marketing, Ryu's management agency, said X-rays showed no bone damage. "The injury is not severe, but she withdrew out of an abundance of caution to protect the player," the agency said.

Oct. 29, 2026

Jung So-i takes solo lead at S-OIL Championship, chases first career win

Five birdies in final 6 holes; 1 stroke ahead of Lee Ye-won Money leader Kim Min-sol starts tied 34th Jung So-i seized the solo lead after the first round of the 20th S-OIL Championship on the KLPGA Tour, which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($748,000), setting the stage for the first victory of her career. Jung carded nine birdies and three bogeys for a 6-under-par 66 at Elysian Jeju Country Club (par 72) in Jeju on Thursday, finishing one stroke ahead of second-place Lee Ye-won, who shot a 5-under 67. Starting on the 10th hole, Jung built early momentum with three consecutive birdies beginning at the par-3 12th, including an 8.1-meter birdie putt at the par-5 14th. Jung stumbled with a bogey at the par-3 16th, then dropped two more strokes on the back nine with three-putts on the par-4 2nd and par-3 3rd holes. Jung found her footing down the stretch, reeling off three straight birdies from the 4th through the 6th holes and adding two more on the 8th and 9th to close out the round. Five birdies over the final six holes secured the top spot. Jung joined the KLPGA in 2020 and has yet to win on the regular tour. Jung has recorded three top-10 finishes this season but missed the cut in each of her two most recent starts. Lee Ye-won posted a bogey-free round with five birdies to claim sole second place. Lee, who has one win this season, has finished in the top 10 in five of her last six events, maintaining an upward trajectory. Defending champion Ko Ji-won sits tied for third after shooting a 4-under 68, which included an eagle, five birdies, one bogey and one double bogey. Ko holed out from roughly 100 meters on the par-5 18th for the eagle. A native of Jeju, Ko claimed both of her wins last year at tournaments held in her hometown. Gil Ye-ram, Yang Hyo-jin, Kim Na-hyun, Seo Eo-jin, Lee Ji-hyun and Seong Yu-jin also finished tied for third alongside Ko. Kim Min-sol, looking to lock up the season money title, opened with an even-par 72 — two birdies, two bogeys — to sit tied for 34th. Kim leads the money standings this season with three wins and four runner-up finishes, having earned 1.59 billion won. Second-place Seo Gyo-rim has earned 1.41 billion won, leaving a gap of approximately 176.86 million won between them. With only two tournaments remaining in the season including this one, Kim can clinch the money title outright with a win here, regardless of the final event's outcome. A solo 20th-place finish or better would also push her single-season earnings past 1.6 billion won — a first in KLPGA Tour history. Kim also sits second in the player-of-the-year points standings with 525 points, trailing leader Seo Gyo-rim by 38 points. A win here, worth 70 points, would lift Kim to the top of those standings as well. Seo is not competing this week due to rib pain. Meanwhile, Jo A-yeon, the 2019 rookie of the year and a four-time winner on the KLPGA Tour, will retire after this tournament. Jo announced the decision on SNS on Friday and shot a 1-over 73 — one birdie, two bogeys — on Thursday to sit tied for 47th.

Oct. 29, 2026

Choi Hye-jin, 9-time runner-up, opens Maybank Championship in tie for 6th

Tied with Hwang Yu-min at 5-under par, 3 shots off the lead Ryu Hae-ran withdraws with finger injury, Vare Trophy bid in doubt Choi Hye-jin, who has finished runner-up in each of her last two tournaments, began her bid Thursday to erase the memory of a near-miss at last year's LPGA Tour Maybank Championship. Choi carded eight birdies and three bogeys for a 5-under-par 67 at the West Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (par 72), sharing sixth place with Hwang Yu-min. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France set the pace with a solo lead at 8-under 64, leaving Choi three shots back. Choi made a strong start, picking up consecutive birdies on the par-4 second and par-5 third holes before adding another birdie on the par-5 fifth. The momentum stalled with back-to-back bogeys on the par-5 sixth and par-4 seventh. A birdie on the par-4 ninth offered a partial recovery, but a bogey on the par-5 10th followed. Choi regained focus on the back nine, birdieing the par-4 13th and 14th holes in succession before closing out the round with birdies on the par-4 16th and the par-5 18th. The tournament carries special significance for Choi. At the same venue last year, Choi came within reach of a first LPGA Tour victory only to see it slip away at the final moment. Choi had led through all three of the opening rounds and stood four shots clear heading into the final round, but a 1-over-par finish on the last day left Choi tied with Yamashita Miyu of Japan and Hannah Green of Australia. Choi ultimately lost in a playoff to Yamashita. Choi has yet to win on the LPGA Tour despite finishing runner-up nine times. The streak dates to a second-place finish at the 2017 US Women's Open as an amateur, with three runner-up results before turning professional and six more since making a tour debut in 2022. This year, Choi shared the runner-up spot with Kim Hyo-joo at the Dow Championship in July, then finished second in back-to-back weeks at the Buick LPGA Shanghai and the BMW Ladies Championship. Yamashita, who denied Choi the title last year, shot a 7-under 65 in the opening round to share second place with Sofia Schuerbert of the United States. Charley Hull of England and Perrine Delacour of France are tied for fourth at 6-under 66. Among South Korean players, Hwang Yu-min sits alongside Choi in a tie for sixth after six birdies and one bogey. Kang Min-ji and Yang Hee-young are tied for 12th at 4-under 68, while Ko Jin-young and Lim Mi-hyang share 21st at 3-under 69. Kim A-rim and Joo Su-bin are tied for 30th at 2-under 70, and Lim Ji-hee is tied for 56th at 1-over 73. Meanwhile, Ryu Hae-ran — who shared the runner-up finish with Choi at last week's BMW Ladies Championship — withdrew from the Maybank Championship with a finger injury. According to a representative for Ryu, the injury occurred Wednesday while traveling. Hospital tests found no bone damage, but Ryu withdrew to protect the injury after experiencing pain in the ligament area. Ryu is expected to skip next week's Toto Japan Classic and return at the Annika driven by Gainbridge, which begins Nov. 13. The withdrawal has in effect ended Ryu's bid for the Vare Trophy, awarded to the tour's lowest scoring average.

Oct. 29, 2026

Korea Racing Authority to broadcast Melbourne Cup for 2nd consecutive year

166-year racing festival to feature coverage of races, fashion and more The Korea Racing Authority will broadcast the Melbourne Cup, Australia's premier horse racing festival, live in South Korea for the second consecutive year. The authority announced Thursday that it will air the 166th Melbourne Cup live on KBS N Sports. The race is scheduled to begin at noon Sunday at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. The Melbourne Cup, which dates to 1861, is Australia's premier long-distance race run over 3,200 meters. This year's purse stands at A$10.2 million (about 9.6 billion won). A field of 23 horses has been entered from four countries — Britain, Ireland, Japan and the United States. Race day is an official public holiday in the state of Victoria, and the event has earned the nickname "The Race That Stops a Nation" for its wide popularity across Australia. The Melbourne Cup is celebrated as much for fashion and culture as for racing. The "Fashions on the Field" competition, which began in 1962, draws participants who showcase elaborate outfits and distinctive hats.

Oct. 29, 2026

'96-line' trio and Son called up amid rift rumors as Moreno faces unity test

Moreno says team comes before any player Coach to meet overseas-based players in Europe ahead of November Middle East friendlies Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke) and Hwang In-beom (Porto) — the so-called "96-line" players who were swept up in retirement speculation — have been called up to the South Korea national team for November alongside captain Son Heung-min (LAFC). Interim head coach Roberto Moreno said the team takes priority above all else, even as questions about internal discord within the squad remain unresolved. Moreno announced a 26-man squad Thursday at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, for two away friendlies in the Middle East next month. The roster includes Son, Kim, Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang In-beom among the core regulars. Kim, Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang In-beom — all born in 1996 — were engulfed in retirement rumors after the final match of the September–October A-match window, a friendly against Uzbekistan. The situation escalated into a broader controversy over internal tensions when allegations emerged that the three players were unhappy with Son's leadership. Hwang In-beom told reporters at the time that there was no intention of retiring from international duty, but the other two players did not offer clear statements on the matter. It remains unconfirmed how serious the rift between Son and the three players actually was, or whether it has since been resolved. "What I have done most over the past few weeks is talk — with the players, with the captain, with the federation and with everyone involved with the team," Moreno said Thursday. "The team comes before any individual player. I want to state again today a principle that will not change." After the squad announcement, Moreno is set to travel to Europe to assess the form and fitness of the overseas-based players. Moreno is expected to meet with Kim, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan during that trip. Two players earned their first senior call-ups: Gangwon FC center back Shin Min-ha and FC Seoul 19-year-old midfielder Son Jeong-beom. Shin appeared in 21 matches in K League this season. Son Jeong-beom, in a professional debut season, contributed 2 goals and 2 assists in 30 appearances, helping Seoul claim the league title for the first time in 10 years. Compared with the September–October A-match squad, six players have been newly added: Shin Min-ha (Gangwon FC), Son Jeong-beom (FC Seoul), Kim Ji-su (Brentford), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon), Jung Woo-young (Union Berlin) and Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City). Among them, Shin Min-ha, Kim Ji-su and Eom Ji-sung were not included in the previous A-match squad because they had been called up for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Meanwhile, Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), Kim Min-su (Rangers), Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham), Lee Tae-seok (Vienna) and Jung Seung-won (Seoul) were left out of this squad. The national team will play its final friendlies of the year against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 and Qatar on Nov. 17, both in Doha, Qatar. The two-match trip also represents a critical test for Moreno. Appointed interim head coach in September, Moreno posted a record of two wins, one draw and one loss across the four A-matches in September and October. With the contract running through November, the results and performances in these two matches are expected to factor heavily into any decision about the future. The trip also marks the last competitive opportunity to sharpen the squad's cohesion ahead of the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, scheduled for January next year. All eyes will be on whether Moreno can put the internal discord rumors to rest and unite the team. The full 26-man squad for November is as follows. Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (Tokyo), Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan), Song Beom-geun (North Jeolla Province). Defenders: Seol Young-woo (Augsburg), Choi Jun (Seoul), Lee Han-beom (Bruges), Kim Min-jae (Munich), Kim Ji-su (Brentford), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon), Jo Hyun-taek (Ulsan), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon). Midfielders: Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang), Kim Bong-su (Daejeon), Son Jeong-beom (Seoul), Hwang In-beom (Porto), Park Tae-jun (Gimcheon), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid), Jung Woo-young (Union Berlin), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), Song Min-kyu (Nacional), Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke). Forwards: Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), Oh Se-hoon (Shimizu).

Oct. 29, 2026

Son Heung-min named captain as all '96-liners' called up under Moreno

Roberto Moreno, interim head coach of the South Korea national football team, has called up Son Heung-min of LAFC along with the three 1996-born players — Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, Hwang In-beom of Porto and Hwang Hee-chan of Schalke — who had been rumored to be considering international retirement, for the November A-match friendly tour. Moreno held a press conference Thursday afternoon at Korea Football Park in Cheonan to announce a 26-man squad for back-to-back friendlies against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 and Qatar on Nov. 17, both to be played in Doha. After the October A-match window closed, reports emerged of internal discord within the squad. Allegations surfaced that some players were dissatisfied with Son's leadership, and speculation grew that the 1996-born players might retire from international duty. Despite the controversy, Moreno opted to recall all of the team's core players, maintaining continuity in the squad. "I cannot speak about private conversations with players. But we met face to face, the players talked among themselves, and we resolved it. Communication has been at the heart of everything since the first call-up," Moreno said. "Every team has different opinions. What matters is how you resolve them. Ultimately, the shared goal is to build a winning team." Moreno added: "Son Heung-min is the captain. There is nothing more to say." The squad is four players smaller than the 30-man group named in September and October, and includes two uncapped players making their first call-ups. Defender Shin Min-ha of Gangwon FC and midfielder Son Jeong-beom of FC Seoul earned their first senior international selections. Defender Kim Ji-su of Brentford and midfielder Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City, both of whom impressed at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, returned to the senior squad, as did Shin, who contributed to the gold medal with a solid defensive display. Fullback Lee Myeong-jae of Daejeon Hana Citizen and midfielder Jung Woo-young of Union Berlin also rejoined the squad. Ten players from the previous squad were dropped. Goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun of FC Seoul was left out, along with defenders Jo Wi-je, Kim Tae-hyun of Jeonbuk Hyundai, Kim Tae-hyun of Kashima Antlers, Lee Gi-hyeok of Gangwon FC, Lee Tae-seok of Austria Vienna and Kim Keon Hee of Incheon United. Midfielders Baek Seung-ho of Birmingham City, Kim Jin-gyu of Jeonbuk Hyundai, Jeong Seung-won of FC Seoul and Kim Min-su of Rangers, as well as forward Cho Gue-sung of Midtjylland, were also omitted. After concluding the press conference Thursday, Moreno is set to depart for Barcelona, Spain, later that night. The squad is scheduled to assemble at the airport on Nov. 8 before flying out to the match venues.

Oct. 29, 2026

Lee Jung-young vows to 'fight like a tiger' to end losing streak

Korean featherweight faces retiring veteran Erosa at UFC Fight Night on Sunday "Korean Tiger" Lee Jung-young, 30, is set to make a comeback against veteran Julian Erosa, 37, of the United States, who is fighting in what he has announced will be the final bout of his career. Lee will face Erosa in a featherweight (65.8 kilograms) undercard bout at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan, to be held at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). It marks Lee's return to the octagon after roughly a year and a half away. Lee, who won the featherweight title in Road to UFC Season 1, got off to a strong start in the UFC by defeating Blake Bilder in his debut. Since then, back-to-back losses to Hayder Hassan and Daniel Santos have left Lee with an overall MMA record of 11 wins and 3 losses. Lee is determined to snap the losing streak and claim a second UFC victory. "With the confidence I originally had, I never thought I would lose two in a row — but at some point I fell apart and that's what happened," Lee said. "Through that process, I felt and learned a great deal." "I don't want to feel defeat anymore," Lee added. "I'm going to carry a winner's mindset like a tiger, act like a winner, and keep winning from here on out." The urgency in Lee's words reflected a fighter who feels there is no more room to fall back. Erosa is a long-tenured UFC veteran who made his debut through The Ultimate Fighter Season 22 in 2015. After being cut and re-signed, Erosa holds a UFC record of 9 wins and 9 losses. Erosa has said this bout will be his last as a professional fighter. In a recent interview, Erosa said the birth of a son shifted his priorities in life, and that the decision to retire came out of consideration for his family and long-term health. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Erosa is a strong submission specialist with notable wins over Nate Landwehr, Darren Elkins and Charles Jourdain. "He's a long fighter with a lot of experience — he's been through everything, so I absolutely cannot let my guard down," Lee said. Lee also expressed confidence in the matchup, saying, "Erosa is looking toward retirement now, but I still have further to climb. I'm faster and I hit harder." Lee said he wants to recapture the momentum that carried him to the Road to UFC title. "I want to go into the octagon and show everyone I can fight like a tiger, with no regrets," Lee said. "If I do that, I think I'll be happy and able to hold my head high regardless of the result." Meanwhile, the main event will feature a lightweight bout between No. 12-ranked Renato Moicano, 37, of Brazil, and No. 14-ranked Tom Nolan, 26, of Australia. Moicano, who holds an overall record of 21 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses, returns to the octagon roughly seven months after submitting Chris Duncan in April. Nolan, with an overall record of 11 wins and 1 loss, enters on a five-fight UFC winning streak and is looking to break into the upper rankings. Lee's bout and the rest of the card will be broadcast live in South Korea starting at 7 a.m. Sunday on tvN Sports and Tving.

Oct. 29, 2026

Milwaukee wins first World Series title in franchise's 58th season

Brewers beat Tampa Bay 4-1 in Game 5 Churio sets 5-game WS hit record with 11 The Milwaukee Brewers claimed their first MLB World Series title in the franchise's 58th season. Milwaukee defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 of the World Series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Thursday (Korean Standard Time), finishing the series 4-1 to capture the first championship in franchise history since the club's founding in 1969. The franchise began as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 before relocating to Milwaukee the following year. The Brewers reached the World Series in 1982 but fell to the St. Louis Cardinals three games to four, settling for the runner-up spot. Forty-four years later, they returned to the Fall Classic and finally lifted the trophy. Milwaukee struck first in the top of the second inning, when Cooper Pratt's run-scoring single cashed in a runner set up by Bryce Turang's left-center double and Sal Frelick being hit by a pitch. In the fifth, consecutive singles by Pratt and Garrett Mitchell set the table for David Hamilton's RBI single, pushing the lead to 2-0. In the sixth, Christian Yelich was hit by a pitch and William Contreras followed with an RBI double. Turang then singled to load the bases with nobody out, and Pratt added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. On the mound, starter Jacob Misiorowski dominated the Tampa Bay lineup. Misiorowski threw 5⅔ innings on 86 pitches, scattering two hits and a walk while striking out two and allowing no runs. Misiorowski was removed after a right calf cramp with two outs in the bottom of the sixth but earned the win. Misiorowski also won Game 1, holding Tampa Bay to one run over five innings, giving him two victories in the series. On the very first pitch of that game, Misiorowski threw a 103.5-mph fastball — a new World Series record for pitch velocity. At the plate, rookie Pratt went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, becoming the first rookie in World Series history to record hits in six consecutive plate appearances in a single series. Jackson Churio also made history, collecting 11 hits across the five games to set a new record for most hits in a five-game World Series. Tampa Bay scored in the bottom of the ninth on consecutive doubles by Liam Hicks and Chandler Simpson, but could not complete the comeback. The Rays, founded in 1998, were making their third World Series appearance — following trips in 2008 and 2020 — but had to settle for the runner-up finish once again.

Oct. 29, 2026