Pre-Qualifier Stuns Field to Earn Spot at The Open
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Bildnummer: 04345461 Datum: 11.03.2009 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI Silhouette von Tiger Woods (USA) während die Sonne aufgeht - PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY (Icon3690903111511); Eldrick, Vdig, quer, Aufmacher, premiumd, Symbol, Sonne, Sonnenlicht, Sonnenschein, Gegenlicht, Sunrise, Sonnenaufgang, Sunset, Sundown, Sonnenuntergang, Morgengrauen, Golfer, Golfspieler, WGC CA Championship 2009, PGA Tour, Training Doral / Miami Golf Herren Einzel Gruppenbild Aktion Werbemotiv Personen Image number 04345461 date 11 03 2009 Copyright imago Icon Smi Silhouette from Tiger Woods USA during The Sun concurrently PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Eldrick Vdig horizontal Highlight premiumd symbol Sun Sunlight Sunshine Gegenlicht Sunrise Sunrise Sunset Sundown Sunset Dawn Golfers Golfer WGC Approx Championship 2009 PGA Tour Training Doral Miami Golf men Singles Group photo Action shot Highlight Human Beings
Nobody expected a player who came through pre-qualifying to win the Korea Open, but Jiho Yang did exactly that.
The South Korean golfer won the 68th Korea Open at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club on May 24, finishing four shots ahead of Charlie Lindh at 9-under-par 275. The victory also secured him the tournament’s lone Open Qualifying Series spot for The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July.
According to a report by Golf Monthly, the 37-year-old became the first player in the 68-year history of the Korea Open to win the tournament after coming through pre-qualifying. Yang started the week by qualifying just to enter the tournament. By the end of it, he had earned a place in a major championship.
He shot rounds of 65, 67, and 67 over the first three days to build a big lead. Even after shooting 5-over-par in the final round, he still won the tournament by four shots. It was his third professional win.
He also won the KB Financial LiiV Championship in 2022 and the Hana Bank Invitational Championship in 2023. The Korea Open was part of the Open Qualifying Series, which gives players a chance to qualify for The Open Championship through events around the world. Only one Open spot was available this week, and Yang won it.
Now, Royal Birkdale is waiting for him. Yang is now on the confirmed player list alongside stars like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele.
Yang's victory highlights the accessibility of the current Open Qualifying Series.
Jiho Yang's Journey Highlights How the Open Qualifying Series Gives Every Player a Real Shot
The Open Championship has one of the most accessible qualification systems in major golf.
Players can earn a spot through world rankings, regional qualifiers, final qualifiers, and Open Qualifying Series events held in different parts of the world during the season.
This season, Open Qualifying Series spots were earned by Daniel Berger at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Tom McKibbin at the Hong Kong Open, and Si Woo Kim at the Australian Open. Three spots are still available for the Genesis Scottish Open in July.
One final qualifying event on July 13 will decide the last player to enter the tournament. Yang first qualified to play in the event and then went on to win the tournament.
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav