Shin Sang-hoon surges into co-lead at KPGA Tour Golfzon Open after late birdie run

Shin Sang-hoon stormed into a share of the lead at the KPGA Tour Golfzon Open (purse: 1 billion won, $724,000) with three consecutive birdies down the stretch on Saturday.

Playing at Golfzon County Sunsan in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province — a par-71 layout — Shin carded six birdies and one bogey for a 5-under-par round. His 54-hole total of 14-under 199 put him level with Jung Chan-min heading into Sunday's final round.

Shin picked up back-to-back birdies on holes 7 and 8, then added another on hole 13. A bogey on hole 14 briefly halted his momentum, but he closed with three straight birdies from hole 16 through 18 to pull even with the leader.

The par-5 18th proved decisive. While Shin made birdie, Jung drove into the trees on the left and made bogey, swinging two strokes in a single hole. Both players finished the third round at 14-under 199.

Shin returned to the tour this year after completing his mandatory military service and is chasing his third career title. He won his first at the 2022 KPGA Championship and his second at the 2023 KPGA Gunsan CC Open.

Jung had started the day as the sole leader by three strokes but managed only a 1-under round — three birdies against two bogeys. He held the lead through the front nine and drained a birdie putt from about 9 meters on the par-4 12th, but a bogey on 18 allowed Shin to draw level.

Hwang Do-yeon shot seven birdies to reach 13-under 200 for the tournament, sharing third place with Jang Seung-bo and sitting one stroke off the co-leaders.

"My ball-striking wasn't great, but I held on well when things weren't going my way," Shin said. "I created good chances on the last three holes and converted them. If I stay patient tomorrow and wait for opportunities the way I did today, I think the result will take care of itself."

Shin identified fairway accuracy as the key to Sunday's final round. "The greens are getting firmer and the pin positions are getting tougher," he said. "When I miss into the rough, I'll focus on saving par, and when I hit the fairway I'll make the most of my chances. I'm starting from a good position, but I'll treat it the same as rounds one through three and focus on the process."