Park Sung-pil Shares First-Round Lead at KPGA Senior Championship

Park Sung-pil, who made his Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour debut in 2002, never won a title during his regular career. But in 2021, at age 50, he announced his arrival with a victory in his Champions Tour debut. He has since added one win in 2023 and two in 2024, recording four career victories on the Champions Tour. In 2024, he became the first player on the Champions Tour to surpass 100 million won in season prize money, claiming the money title. For Park, the Champions Tour is a stage where dreams have come true.

Park took a share of the first-round lead at the 30th KPGA Senior Championship, a Champions Tour major, setting the stage for his first win of the season and his fifth career title.

In the first round held Tuesday at the Sol Course (par 72) of Solago Country Club in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, Park carded six birdies for a 6-under 66, tying Kim Sung-yong for the lead. He picked up three birdies on each of the front and back nines.

"My shots felt good. If my putting had cooperated a little more, I could have lowered my score further, which is a bit disappointing," Park said after the round. "I've been steadily building my fitness through strength training, and my condition is good." He added, "I plan to play more aggressively in the second round. I really want to win the Senior Championship."

Kim Sung-yong, who made his Champions Tour debut this year, also carded six birdies. "Thanks to my putting cooperating well, I was able to post a good score," Kim said. "Tomorrow I'll tee off in the morning, so I expect less wind. I won't miss the opportunity when it comes."

Following Park and Kim, Heo Se-hwang and Cho Hoon are tied for third at 5-under, while Lee Yong-hoon and Na Byung-kwan are tied for fifth at 4-under. Choi Ho-sung, making a rare appearance on the domestic stage, sits in a tie for 15th at 2-under.

With total prize money of 300 million won, this tournament offers roughly double the purse of a typical senior event. The schedule also runs three rounds rather than two. Players use personal caddies in a "walking play" format, often bringing their wives or children as caddies. Since last year, the KPGA has been photographing players and their caddies and presenting them with framed photos. This year, the photos will be delivered to the players after the second round.