Shin Sanghun Wins First Genesis Grand Prize... '21-Year-Old Jung Jaehyun Claims First Victory'

Shin Sanghun finishes tied for 24th at Tour Championship, clinches Genesis Grand Prize

Set to compete in final stage of PGA Tour Q-School starting December 10

Jung Jaehyun fires an 8-under 64 to win by three strokes

Shin Sanghun won the Genesis Grand Prize for the first time in his career.

Shin shot a 5-under-par 67 in the fourth round of the Tour Championship, the final event of the 2026 Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour season, which concluded on November 8 at the Valley-Teddy Course (par 72, 7,332 yards) at Teddy Valley Golf & Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. He finished tied for 24th and secured first place in the Genesis Grand Prize points standings.

Shin, who competed with Jeong Chan-min and Jang Yu-bin for the award through the season's final tournament, received a 200 million won bonus, a car, and playing privileges on the KPGA Tour through 2031. He also qualified for the final stage of the U.S. PGA Tour Qualifying School, which begins on December 10. In his first season back after completing military service, Shin had an outstanding year, including a victory at the Golfzon Open and nine top-10 finishes.

Shin Sanghoon speaks in an interview after securing the top spot in this year's KPGA Tour Player of the Year standings. Courtesy of KPGA.

Shin, who had been struggling with a stiff neck before the tournament, said, "I had plenty of time to prepare for this season after completing my military service in June 2025. I want to take good care of my neck, build up my fitness, and post a good result at Q-School."

This will be Shin's first appearance in the final stage of Q-School. "I plan to leave for the U.S. in early December. Once I'm there, I'll carefully check the grass conditions and work on making my shots from inside 100 meters more precise," he said, adding with a broad smile, "I'm glad the 200 million won bonus will help cover my expenses for going to the U.S."

The tournament trophy went to 21-year-old Jung Jaehyun, who put on a flawless performance, making eight birdies and no bogeys. Starting the day tied for second, one stroke behind the leader, Jung won by three strokes with a 13-under-par total of 275. He received 224.8 million won in prize money and moved up to eighth in the Genesis Grand Prize points standings, earning an additional bonus of 18 million won.

Jung Jaehyun won the KPGA Tour Championship, the final event of the 2026 season. Courtesy of KPGA.

Jung, who joined the KPGA Tour in 2024, had won twice on the second-tier tour, but this was his first victory on the regular tour. He also put behind him the disappointment of finishing runner-up in a playoff at last week's Lexus Masters. Hwang Jaemin finished second at 10-under-par 278, while Kim Minkyu and Jeong Hanmil tied for third at 9-under-par 279.

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