It’s all Ok at International Series Korea for rising star on Asian Tour

Emerging Korean star Taehoon Ok holed a clutch five-foot birdie putt on the last to beat his famous compatriot Bio Kim by one stroke on Sunday and win the International Series Korea at Lotte Skyhill Country Club on Jeju Island on the Asian Tour.

After a fierce battle down the stretch, Ok prevailed after carding a three under par 68, for a tournament total of 15 under par. Bio also came in with a 68. American Trevor Simsby fired a 67 for sole possession of third, one stroke further back. It’s the first time that Ok has triumphed in his five-year professional career, and he was made to work right to the very end to secure it.

Dubai-based Shiv Kapur of India shot a final round 72, for a 72-hole total of 288, to finish four over par and tied 68th. Starting on Tee 10, Shiv opened up with a bogey five to set the mood for the day. Two nines of 36 with two birdies and three bogeys was the story of Shiv’s scorecard.

Back to the drawing board

On completion of his round Shiv told Gulf News: “It has not been a great week for me in Korea. I just didn’t have my ‘A’ game and I just could not get much to work, out on the course; golf is like that some weeks. I fly back home to Dubai tonight and it is back to the drawing board. I will be in Dubai for a couple of weeks getting ready for a strong end of season on the Asian Tour with events in Japan and Chinese Taipei.”

Ok started the day with a one-shot advantage and after making three birdies in a row from the 11th he had a two-shot lead and appeared on course for a comfortable victory.

However, moments after he missed a 15-foot par putt on the par three 17th, Bio, playing in the group ahead, holed a six-foot birdie putt on 18 to tie the lead on 14-under.

With a sudden-death play-off looking a strong possibility, Ok bravely responded by hitting a masterful third-shot close in before confidently holing out for a life-changing victory, which also earned him a cheque for $270,000.

Disappointing final day

“I asked my caddie on 17 if he really thought I can birdie 18 and he said, ‘Go for it’,” said the 23-year-old. “I have learned a lot by playing in the final pairings recently so that really helped.”

Ok came close to winning the Kolon Korea Open this year, where he was tied for the lead after the third round but carded a disappointing 75 on the final day and finished joint sixth place. He also tied for fifth in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open. Those performances suggested a win this year was not far away.

The Asian Tour travels to Japan next for The 38th Shinhan Donghae Open, being played at Koma Country Club from September 8-11. It will mark the first time the prestigious Korean event has been played in Japan.

Final results (Par 71, 7,079 yards):

T. Ok (Kor) 68. 64. 69. 68. 269.

B. Kim (Kor) 69. 63. 70. 68. 270.

T. Simsby (US) 67. 69. 68. 67. 271.

Y. Gang (Korea) 67. 73. 66. 66. 272.

G. Bhullar (Ind) 72. 65. 69. 67. 273.

J. Wang (Korea) 68. 71. 67. 67. 273.