Asian Tour Book 2024

SCREEN STAR KIM SHINES IN THE SPOTLIGHT EXTRA-TIME AGONY FOR THAI CHONLATIT Hongtaek Kim [right] proved he can win in both the real world as well as in the virtual space. T here’s a good reason why he’s been bestowed with the nickname ‘King of the Screen’. In a glittering career on the indoor golfing scene, Hongtaek Kim has claimed no fewer than 12 wins. In so doing, he’s become a poster boy for the GTour, a professional screen golf league in South Korea that has been credited with setting the standard for competitive virtual golf. The GTour has been running since 2012 and is reputed to be the world’s largest platform for screen golf, hosting more than 200 tournaments and awarding more than US$12 million in prizes. In a country that leads the world in indoor golf with more than 70 million rounds reported to be played annually on simulators, Kim is a shining star. His fame – and golfing credibility – further sky-rocketed at the start of May when he defied the sceptics by winning the GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship at Namseoul Country Club, the sixth stop on the Asian Tour’s 2024 calendar. Not only did his victory conclusively prove that those who are predominantly indoor golfers can also perform with distinction outdoors, but also that they’re far from being fair-weather golfers. Unlike many of the air-conditioned indoor venues at which he’s left his rivals floundering on the GTour, on the final day at Namseoul, Kim had to contend with an overcast day that delivered persistent rain and left everyone drenched. And he handled it superbly, navigating his way around the venerable 7,083- yard layout in two-under-par 69 to force a play-off with Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam which he won at the first extra hole, slotting a knee-trembling four- footer for par in driving rain. He couldn’t resist a jibe at those who scoffed at his prospects. “There was a misunderstanding that I was only good at simulator golf. I solved themisunderstanding today,” said the 30-year-old. “I think simulator golf has actually been very helpful. Competing in championships in simulator golf has helped relieve tension,” added Kim, who collected the 57 GS CA LT EX MA EK Y UNG OPEN GOL F CHAMP IONSH I P N AM S EO U L CO U N T RY C L U B MAY 2 - 5 2 0 2 4 | P R I Z E MON E Y: K RW 1 , 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 ( A P P ROX I MAT E LY U S $ 8 9 2 , 0 0 0 )