Two players – Minchel Choi and Sanghyun Park – qualified for next month’s Open Championship at Carnoustie via the Open Qualifying Series on Sunday.
Choi (69) held off Park (66) to win the Korean Open by two shots.
This was the Qualifying Series debut for the Korean Open, whiched awarded Open Championship exemptions to the tournament’s top two finishers inside the top eight and ties who were not already qualified.
Choi, the 532nd-ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking, punched his ticket in his first professional win.
Park, the 146th in the world, is a six-time Korean Tour champion who has already won twice this season.
Both players will be making their first ever major starts.
“I am absolutely honored to be playing in The Open and I wanted to win this championship to give me [that] opportunity,” Choi said. “I cannot believe that I have won today. I am so happy and excited.”
“It is a great honor to have qualified for The Open and make my first appearance in the championship,” Park added. “I’ve watched The Open on television every single year and I can’t really believe that I have qualified, it is amazing.”
The Open Qualifying Series continues next week at the Open de France, where as many as three exemptions will be awarded to the three leading players inside the top 10 and ties who are not already qualified.
The 147th Open will be held at Carnoustie from July 19-22.
Source: Internet
