Yang Ji-ho Makes Korea Open History With Wire-to-Wire Victory
Qualifier becomes first player to win Korea’s national championship after advancing through preliminary stages
Paju, Korea - A dream that began in qualifying ended with one of the most remarkable victories in Korean golf history as Jiho Yang captured the Kolon 68th Korea Open Golf Championship at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan on Sunday.
The 37-year-old completed a wire-to-wire triumph in the Korea Golf Association’s national championship, posting a winning total of nine-under-par 275. Yang led from the opening round and never surrendered top spot, becoming the 14th player to win the Korea Open in wire-to-wire fashion and the first since Seungsu Han in 2023.
What made the victory even more significant was the path Yang took to the title. After advancing through qualifying, he became the first player in the 68-year history of the Korea Open to win the championship after coming through the preliminary stages.
Yang was one of 33 players to reach the championship through final qualifying and had only secured his place in the field after finishing 18th among the qualifiers. Once the tournament began, however, he produced four days of composed golf to claim the biggest victory of his career and deliver a result that embodied the Korea Open’s founding principle of providing opportunities for all players.
The victory earned Yang the national title for the first time, along with prize money of ₩500 million and an additional bonus of ₩200 million, bringing his total earnings for the week to ₩700 million. He also secured a place in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July, a five-year exemption on the KPGA Tour and a two-year Asian Tour exemption.
“I tried to believe in myself and I think I had a lot of luck on my side,” Yang said. “I never imagined I could win on a stage as big as the Korea Open. It still doesn’t feel real.
“I’m so grateful to my wife and our baby who will be born soon. I feel proud that I was able to repay my family for all their support. I want to continue showing my appreciation to everyone who has encouraged me.”
The Korea Open’s qualifying system once again highlighted the championship’s commitment to its identity as a true open tournament. This year, 500 players entered the first stage of qualifying, with 146 advancing to final qualifying in pursuit of places in the championship field.
Yang’s victory stands as the clearest example yet of that philosophy, proving that a player can progress from qualifying and lift one of the most prestigious trophies in Korean golf.
Meanwhile, Korea Golf Association ranking No. 2 Minsoo Kim, a member of the national team, finished tied for eighth on four-under-par 284 and claimed low amateur honours for the second consecutive year. The high-school senior produced the lowest round of the day on Sunday with a four-under-par 67, further strengthening his reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Korean golf.
The Korea Open is one of the Korea Golf Association’s eight national championships. Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, the long-time host venue, remains one of the association’s key member clubs and a major supporter of golf development in Korea.