Choi Chan, 29, won the Dong-A Membership Group Open, the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour's first event of the second half, which carried a total purse of 700 million won ($505,000).
Choi shot a 3-under 69 with four birdies and one bogey in the final fourth round at Sollago Country Club (par 72) in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, on the 23rd. Finishing at 20-under 268, Choi edged out amateur national team member Yu Min-hyuk, who finished at 19-under, by one stroke. The winner's prize was 140 million won. The victory lifted Choi's season earnings to 511.65 million won, moving him up to third place in that category.
The win gave Choi his second title of the season and his second career title. Since joining the tour in 2022, he made his name with fans this April by claiming his first career win at the Woori Financial Championship in his fifth year as a pro. Choi became the season's second multiple winner after Jang Yu-bin, who has two victories, emerging as a new force on the KPGA Tour.
The day made for a long journey, as players finished the remainder of the third round that had been suspended the previous day due to bad weather. Starting the final round with a two-stroke lead, Choi relied on steady play to reach the top without any particular crisis.
Choi made his first birdie on the front nine at the par-4 4th hole, then added more on the par-4 10th and par-5 11th holes on the back nine. He made his first bogey of the tournament at the par-4 13th hole but immediately recovered the stroke with a birdie at the par-4 14th, keeping his rivals at bay.
Choi sealed the win with a par on the final par-5 18th hole, pumping his fist in celebration. "It felt incredibly long, playing through the remaining round today as well," Choi said after the win. "I'm so frazzled I don't even know what to say right now, but I'm happy to have won." He added, "My remaining goal for the second half is to finish in the top five of the Genesis Points to earn an exemption from the Korn Ferry Tour qualifying for the U.S. PGA Tour. I'll do my best in the remaining events to reach that goal."
Yu Min-hyuk, who had been chasing an amateur victory, took sole second place thanks to a birdie on the final hole. Park Jung-hoon and Jung Jae-hoon tied for third at 18-under. Choi Seung-bin, Jung Chan-min, Park Jun-hong and Brandon Kewalramani of the United States tied for fifth at 17-under. Jang Yu-bin finished tied for 48th at 9-under.
