Jang Yu-bin, who became the first Korean player to join LIV Golf last year before returning to the domestic circuit this season, has moved close to his first win since the comeback.
Jang carded seven birdies and two bogeys to add 12 points in the third round of the KPGA Classic with I'm Vita, held Friday at the Northwest Course (par 72) of Cypress Golf & Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju. In the tournament, played under the modified Stableford format, Jang posted a running total of 39 points to hold the sole lead, finishing five points ahead of joint runners-up Song Min-hyuk and Park Eun-shin (both at 34 points).
Jang, who won the KPGA Tour's six titles, including the Player of the Year and prize money awards, with two victories and five runner-up finishes in 2024, returned to the domestic circuit after a year following his struggles at LIV Golf last year. A victory in this tournament would put him back atop the podium for the first time in one year and eight months since the Baeksong Holdings Asiad CC Busan Open in October 2024.
Jang surged from early in the day. After consecutive birdies on holes 2 and 3, he added more birdies on holes 4 and 5, building eight points on the front nine alone. He widened the gap with a birdie on the 11th hole on the back nine, but briefly faltered with bogeys on the 13th and 15th holes.
Jang reeled in a birdie with an aggressive approach to the green on the 16th hole, and on the 18th hole he reached the green in two shots with a long drive before adding another birdie to hold the lead.
"There were parts that weren't satisfying because my rhythm was broken, but I think I bounced back," Jang said after the round. "Since I'm now in the position of holding the sole lead and being chased, I'll play as calmly as possible in the final round."
Kim Min-kyu, who currently plays on LIV Golf, also added 15 points with eight birdies and one bogey on the day, climbing to a running total of 29 points and tying for sixth. "I'm tired from the aftermath of long-distance travel, but I'm gradually adjusting," Kim said. "I'll play more aggressively in the final round to create chances."
In the modified Stableford format, points are awarded based on performance on each hole, with par scoring zero points, a birdie two points, an eagle five points, a bogey minus one point, and a double bogey or worse all scoring minus three points. The format favors aggressive play over steady play.
