Kyungnam Kang's two decades of experience in professional golf are becoming evident during the challenging Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School.
The 41-year-old Korean sank a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole shortly after making an eagle on the 15th, at Lake View Resort and Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, giving him a three-shot lead after the third round.
He shot a six-under-par 65, bringing his total to 16-under with two rounds left in the qualifying school. After Saturday’s final round, the top 35 players will secure Tour cards for 2025.
American Christopher Hickman (65), Japan’s Takumi Murakami (66), and Taiki Yoshida (67) are tied for second place, while India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu (68) and Australian Jack Thompson (70), who led after the second round, are one shot behind.
Tomorrow, they will compete on the more challenging C and D nines, with the top 70 players and ties advancing to the second and final cut of the week.
Kang is a prolific winner in Korea, boasting 11 domestic titles, the latest being in 2021. He has primarily played in Korea throughout his career but has chosen to participate in the Asian Tour Qualifying School for only the second time due to its appealing International Series, which he believes could lead him to LIV Golf.
Having achieved three top-15 finishes in Asian Tour events held in Korea this season, including a tie for third at the Kolon Korea Open and an eighth-place position on Korea's money list, his decision to compete in Thailand is understandable. Notably, his last Asian Tour event outside Korea was at the Malaysian Open in 2020.
Taiki Yoshida is also in contention. Thompson, who won this qualifying school two years ago on the same course and is a strong candidate to advance this week, remarked that while he shot just one under today, he feels he is still in good form.
Tied for seventh place, five shots behind Kang, are Australia’s Lawry Flynn (65), Japan’s Yosuke Asaji (67), and Korean Doyeob Mun (70).
Takumi Murakami. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Australian Jordan Zunic enhanced his chances of progressing by making an ace on the par-three 14th hole with a five iron. He is currently six under and tied for 30th after shooting a 67.
Several notable players need to improve their scores tomorrow to remain in contention for Saturday's final round. Among them are Scotland’s Marc Warren, American Berry Henson, England’s Sam Broadhurst (son of Ryder Cup star Paul Broadhurst), Spain’s Alejandro Canizares (son of Ryder Cup legend Jose-Maria Canizares), and American Jason Knutzon, all sitting at two under and tied for 76th.
The final round on Saturday will utilize the A and B nines, which are easier but will present heightened pressure as the competition intensifies.