Jeong Han-mil wins first KPGA title at Gunsan CC Open after 10-year wait

Jeong Han-mil claimed his first career victory on the KPGA Tour on Sunday, winning the Gunsan CC Open in his 10th year as a professional.

The 35-year-old shot a final-round 3-under-par 69 at the Tournament Course of Gunsan Country Club (par 72, 7,640 yards) in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, finishing at 17-under 271 and pulling away from runner-up Kim Sung-hyun by four strokes. The win came in Jeong's 164th KPGA Tour start since turning professional in 2017.

The tournament featured an unusual prize structure in which a portion of event revenue was added to the base purse, pushing the total beyond 700 million won ($453,000). Along with the title, Jeong secured a three-year KPGA Tour card (2027–2029) and 1,000 Genesis Points, marking a decisive turning point in his career.

Jeong opened the week modestly, posting a 1-under 71 to sit tied for 40th after the first round. He surged into a share of the lead with a 7-under 65 in the second round, then extended his advantage to three strokes on moving day with a 6-under 66 built on seven birdies and one bogey.

Playing in the final group Sunday alongside Kim Sung-hyun and Kim Min-jun, Jeong stayed composed under pressure. He made three birdies against two bogeys on the front nine, then traded a birdie and bogey on holes 13 and 14 before delivering the decisive blow — holing out for eagle on the par-4 15th from 126 yards with his second shot to seal the win.

In his decade on tour, Jeong had built a reputation as a consistent but winless performer, repeatedly falling short when the pressure mounted. Sunday's victory erased that narrative entirely.

Kim Sung-hyun finished runner-up at 13-under 275 after draining a long-range birdie putt of more than 10 meters on the par-4 18th — his best result since returning to the domestic circuit.

Jang Yu-bin, who had been chasing a third consecutive KPGA Tour title, stumbled to a 3-over 75 on the final day and finished tied for 14th at 6-under 282. He managed only two birdies while dropping five bogeys.