Featured Player - Bae Sang Moon
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Nationality: Korean |
| Date of Birth: 12 June 1986 |
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| Place of Birth: Daegu, Korea |
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| OneAsia title: 2009 Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open |
Rising star Bae Sang-moon successfully defended the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open in 2009 – which marked the first ever OneAsia event in the Land of Morning Calm.
The Korean recorded a one-stroke victory over compatriot Kim Dae-sub at Woo Jeung Hills Golf Club for his second big win of 2009. He also claimed the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May.
Kim, winner of this event twice as a teenage amateur in 1998 and 2001, gave Bae a real fright on the final hole. Bae held a three shot lead over Kim playing the par-five 18th but he was suddenly hit by a wave of pressure when playing partner Kim holed his third shot from 100 yards for an eagle.
The crowd went wild but Bae calmly found the green with his third and two putted to earn a cheque for US$245,000.
Northen Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who started the day in a tie for the lead with Kim and was hot favourite to win, finished four behind the winner in joint third place.
Bae, who was aged 23 when he triumphed, is one of the biggest hitters in Asian golf. The athletic golfer is one of a crop of young Koreans expected to follow in the footsteps of Choi Kyung-ju and Yang Yong-eun.
He also claimed the SK Telecom Open in 2007, meaning he has won the big three golf tournaments in his country.
