Jeong Chanmin Wins Wire-to-Wire... "Even Heavy Rain Couldn't Stop Him"

The Charity Classic Final Round: Claims the title despite a 4-over-par round
Third career win since the 2023 Golfzon-Dorai Open
Shin Sanghun finishes second, Kim Baekjun third, and Choi Chan fourth

Long hitter Jung Chanmin captured a wire-to-wire victory.

Jung shot a four-over-par 76 in the final round of The Charity Classic, a KPGA Tour event with a total purse of 1 billion won, held on the Valley and Seowon courses at Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 18. Despite giving up four strokes, he won by one stroke with a 19-under-par total of 269. It was a dominant victory, with Jung leading from the first round through the fourth. He claimed his third career title, and his first in two years and 11 months, since the Golfzon-Toray Open in November 2023. He earned 200 million won in prize money.

Jung Chanmin smiles while holding the trophy just after winning The Charity Classic. Photo courtesy of KPGA.

Jung began the final round with a four-stroke lead and carded one birdie, three bogeys and a double bogey. After showcasing his dominance over the first three days, he was slowed by strong winds and rain on the final day. Torrential rain was so heavy that play was temporarily suspended. His lead over the group in second place, which had grown to as many as five or six strokes, also narrowed sharply. Jung played cautiously after the rain stopped and play resumed. At the 17th hole, a par 3, he saved par despite hitting his tee shot into a bunker. He ultimately outlasted his rivals to lift the trophy.

Jung also put his history of runner-up finishes behind him. He had chances to win the Founders Cup in May and the Golfzon Open in September, but faltered late in both tournaments and finished second. At the Golfzon Open in particular, he lost to Shin Sanghun after a close playoff. This time, however, he held on to claim the top spot. He also climbed to second place in the Genesis Points standings with 4,744.77 points.

Jung Chanmin hits a tee shot on the third hole during the fourth round of The Charity Classic. Photo courtesy of KPGA.

In an interview immediately after his victory, Jung beamed and said, "It feels like all my hard work has finally paid off. I'm happy to be standing here again after such a long time." Jung, who plans to compete in the United States after this season, remained modest: "I think I need to improve in every aspect. I still have a long way to go before I can become a well-rounded player." He added, "For the rest of the season, I'll focus on my own game and discuss things with my caddie as we compete."

Shin Sanghun shot a one-over-par 73 to finish second at 18 under par, 270. He lost four strokes on the front nine, then mounted a fierce comeback with three birdies and no bogeys on the back nine, but ran out of holes. He moved into first place in the Player of the Year race with 4,807.94 points. Kim Baekjun finished third at 17 under par, 271. Choi Chan, a two-time winner this season, finished fourth at 16 under par, 272. Jang Yubin, also a two-time winner this year, tied for 53rd and fell from first to third in the Player of the Year standings, with 4,512.08 points.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.