2023-06-14 09:36:34
(Vision 21 News) On the 14th (Wed), the day before the opening of the Hana Bank Invitational (total prize money of KRW 1 billion, prize money of KRW 200 million), the tournament was successfully held at Chiba Isumi Golf Club (par 73, 7,625 yards) in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. A photo call was held to pray for
At the photo call held on the 18th hole green, ‘defending champion’ Lee Jun-seok (35. Woori Financial Group) and ’66th KPGA Championship with A-ONE CC’ winner Choi Seung-bin (22. CJ), the ‘first champion’ and Park Sang-hyun (40. Dong-A Pharmaceutical), who is sponsored by Hana Financial Group as a sub, Lee Jae-kyung (24. CJ), who currently ranks first in Genesis points, Ham Jeong-woo (29), Park Eun-shin (33), and Han Seung-su (who are sponsored by Hana Financial Group) 37), Park Bae-jong (37), and Lee Seung-min (26).
The players who participated in the photocall wished for the success of the tournament by posing in various poses with the trophy installed on the 18th green and the mascots of Hana Financial Group, the organizer, ‘Byeoldori’ and ‘Byeolsongi’.
Afterwards, Lee Jun-seok, Park Sang-hyun, Park Eun-shin, and Ham Ham-woo attended the official press conference of the ‘Hana Bank Invitational’ and expressed their determination to participate in the tournament.
[기자회견 일문일답]
Q: (Common question) How do you feel about participating in the ‘Hana Bank Invitational’ competition?
Hahm Jung-woo: I’m happy to participate in the ‘Hana Bank Invitational’ held in Japan. In particular, he wants to achieve good results as much as he participates as a player belonging to Hana Financial Group. He wants to lift the championship trophy in Japan.
Nakajima Keita: It is an honor to participate in the Hana Bank Invitational. I am happy that there are many Korean players and peers. I will do my best to win.
Park Eun-shin: I am grateful to Hana Financial Group for giving Korean and Japanese players a chance. This year, I brought my mind at ease. At last year’s tournament, I was greedy because it was a sponsored event, but it didn’t seem to help. I think this year, if I focus on golf with a comfortable mind, I will be able to achieve good results.
Lee Jun-seok: First of all, it is meaningful that the competition was held overseas. Since this is a tournament where I compete as a ‘defending champion’, I will do my best to show a good image this year by adjusting my condition well.
Semikawa Taiga: I look forward to competing with Korean players in a great tournament. I think it will be a place where we can evaluate each other’s capabilities with Korean players who don’t usually have many opportunities to play together. We will do our best to win.
Park Sang-Hyeon: It is meaningful to be held in Japan, and it has been a long time since the KPGA Korean Tour and Japan Tour co-sponsored a tournament. There has been a lot of generational change during that time. It’s an honor to be able to compete alongside the young players on both tours.
Q: (Park Sang-hyun) With a lot of experience in the Japanese tour, what is the difference between the styles of the young players on the KPGA Korean Tour and the Japanese Tour? How do you feel about today’s practice round?
A: KPGA Korean Tour players have very good swings and confidence in their shots. Japanese players also have good shots, but their recovery and short game skills are excellent. Younger players may not think the course is long, but for me the battlefield is long. (Laughter) Since the greens and fairways are soft, I think the key is to send the tee shot far and adjust the backspin on the shot.
Q: (Common question) What is your strategy for targeting the course?
Semikawa Taiga: Because the greens are soft, shot control is important. You have to make good use of your birdie opportunities.
Junseok Lee: The rough is long and stiff. I think you need to hit a good tee shot to figure out how to attack the green. It is important to focus on the shot and save the birdie chance.
Park Eun-shin: Since there are 5 par 5 holes, it seems important to catch as many birdies as possible on the par 5 holes.
Nakajima Keita: The par 3 hole is long. I think it is also important not to bogey on par 3 holes.
Jeong-Woo Ham: Since the par 3 hole is long, I think there will be a good opportunity if you keep the number of strokes and maintain your mental well in the par 3 hole and solve it well one by one.
Q: (Semikawa Taiga) The number of long hitters in their 20s is increasing in Korea these days. What kind of characteristics do Japanese players play?
A: This is a very difficult question. Each player has a different personality and characteristics. However, I think it is an advantage that the basic level is higher than the exceptional one.
Q: (Nakajima Keita) It must be physically and mentally difficult to compete for the championship for three weeks in a row. how is the condition?
A: I had good results for three consecutive weeks, but I worked hard to adjust my condition for this week. I will work hard to get good grades.
Q : (Jeong-Woo Ham) Is the environment of Chiba Isumi GC very different from Korea? Are there any problems adapting?
Grass is similar but different. Two greens and small greens have been played by many Korean players, so I don’t think there will be any problem adapting to them. During the practice round, I think the Korean players would have prepared a strategy accordingly, so I think I have expectations from the Korean players.
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