National team player Kim Min-soo of Howon High School's affiliated distance-learning high school won the 110th Japan Amateur Championship hosted by the Japan Golf Association (JGA).
Kim shot a 3-under-par 69 with three birdies and no bogeys in the fourth round held Sunday at Yokkaichi Country Club (par 72) in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Finishing with a total of 17-under-par 271, Kim beat Daiki Fujii (12-under-par 276) by five strokes to claim the winner's trophy.
With this victory, Kim received the trophy and certificate. As a prize for the win, he earned a berth in the 91st Japan Open Golf Championship, to be held over four days from October 15 to 18 at the West Course of Tarao Country Club in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. In addition, if he maintains his amateur status, he can compete in the 111th Japan Amateur Championship next year.
This marks the fifth win by a Korean amateur player. The first champion was Lee Dong-hwan (2004). In 2005 and 2006, Kim Kyung-tae lifted the trophy in two consecutive years. The most recent win came 18 years ago, in 2008, by Kim Bio.
"I have won national title amateur tournaments in Korea and Taiwan, and I wanted to hold a Japanese title as well," Kim said. "The Japan Open is a tournament won by Han Jang-sang, a legend of Korean golf, and I will surely achieve a good result."
An Hae-cheon of Korea National Sport University, who competed alongside Kim, finished tied for 13th with a total of 5-under-par.
