Song Min-hyuk won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea on Sunday after Hur In-hoi was hit with a 2-shot penalty and removed from the play-off group. [1, 2]
Hur, 38, had finished in a three-way tie for first at 11 under after a final-round 64 before officials told him he would be penalized for an incident in the third round. [1, 2] The issue centred on the par-4 seventh hole, where Hur played a provisional, or second, ball after a spotter thought his opening tee shot may have gone out of bounds. [1] The Asian Tour and Korea Golf Association acknowledged that the timing and communication of the ruling changed the result. [1]
Song, 22, was left to take the title in the play-off and claimed his first professional win. [2] He said, “I thought I might cry after my first win, but in the moment, I just felt overwhelming joy and couldn’t stop smiling.” [2] Song also said, “Up until last year, my father caddied for me, but this year I’m working with a professional caddie.” [2]
Hur’s penalty came after the third-round hole incident roughly 24 hours earlier, when his ball was judged under the rules review that later led officials to act. [1]
