Ryu Tae-oh and Choi Eun-sol claimed the men's and women's championships at the "2026 AJGA IPS Round 1 Kim Hyung-sung Cup Junior Tournament," hosted by Pacific Links Korea.
The tournament was held on the 29th and 30th at Century 21 CC in Wonju, Gangwon Province. As an official International Pathway Series (IPS) event certified by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), it was organized to provide Korean junior players with an opportunity to advance to the world stage.
Middle and high school students from across the country, along with international school students, competed in a 36-hole stroke play format over two days. Ryu Tae-oh of Bangkok American School took the overall men's title with a two-day total of 1-under-par 143 (70-73).
In the women's division, Choi Eun-sol, a first-year student at Chuncheon Bangtong High School, achieved the overall championship with 5-under-par 139 (69-70). The two players earned AJGA Fully Exempt status for 2027, gaining eligibility to compete in official AJGA tournaments in the United States.
The top three finishers in the men's and women's high school, middle school, and international school divisions received medals, certificates, and prize checks, along with golf bags, carriers, Boston bags, and backpacks as prizes. Through a drawing, one player each from the men's, women's, and international school divisions was given a special prize of a round of golf with professional Kim Hyung-sung, adding meaning to the tournament.
Jang Ok-young, CEO of Pacific Links Korea, delivered a message of encouragement: "Even if you prepared hard, you may not achieve the results you wanted. But I hope you become players who grow further using this experience as a stepping stone." She added, "Results are important, but I hope you see this as a process of learning consideration and sportsmanship through golf. I expect it to become a valuable experience that will help you in your life ahead."
Kim Hyung-sung, who held the tournament under his own name, said, "This golf course is a meaningful place where I won my first professional title." He continued, "There is no failure in the world. I hope you don't think of it as failure, but prepare for what comes next with confidence and become players who grow through the process."
The Kim Hyung-sung Cup was held as the first event of the IPS series. The second tournament will be the "2026 Kim Hyo-joo-Pacific Links Korea Cup AJGA Championship with Edaily," to be held August 3-5 at Century 21 CC.
