Minhyuk Song delivered a breakthrough moment in Korean golf, surviving one of the most chaotic finishes in recent GS Caltex Maekyung Open history to claim his first professional victory at Namseoul Country Club.

The 22-year-old secured the title in a sudden-death playoff against compatriot Mingyu Cho, holding his nerve on the first extra hole as pressure, mistakes and penalties reshaped the leaderboard in dramatic fashion.

“I really wanted to win,” Song said after the breakthrough. “But I also told myself that even if I stumbled, as long as I had the strength to get back up, I could become a player capable of winning. I’m just very happy that such a great opportunity came sooner than I expected.”

Late collapse and playoff pressure define chaotic Maekyung Open finish

The GS Caltex Maekyung Open swung wildly in the closing holes, with Mingyu Cho appearing destined for victory before a devastating late collapse on the 18th green.

Cho carried a two-shot lead playing the final hole but missed a crucial three-foot bogey putt before making double bogey, forcing his way into a tie with Song at 11 under. That collapse set up the playoff that ultimately decided the championship.

Cho’s frustration was clear after another near-miss at home soil victory.

It was another painful chapter for the 37-year-old, who said, “I really wanted to win… but I also told myself that even if I stumbled, as long as I had the strength to get back up…”

Cho added perspective on the difficulty of finishing at the top, reflecting on his long pursuit of a home victory that continues to elude him.

Meanwhile, Inhoi Hur briefly believed he had joined the playoff before a two-shot penalty changed everything after officials reviewed a rules incident from the previous round.

Hur’s score was adjusted after a stroke-and-distance ruling on hole seven in the third round, dropping him from contention despite a strong late surge.

Rule penalties and heartbreak overshadow elite final-round performances

Hur’s collapse into a tie for third, alongside Ian Snyman and Taehee Lee, added another layer of controversy and emotion to a tournament already defined by pressure-packed moments.

Hur had built momentum with three straight birdies late in his round, but the ruling committee’s decision removed him from the playoff picture entirely.

Song, meanwhile, remained composed throughout the final stretch, including a crucial par on the 18th hole that kept him alive before the playoff.

He had previously finished second at the same event as an amateur in 2023, making this victory a symbolic full-circle moment in his rapid rise.

“My dream was to win with my father on the bag and bow to him as a celebration,” Song said. “Although I couldn’t fulfil that this time, my caddie did an amazing job and really helped me perform well.”

Cho’s playoff misfortune continued when he pushed his drive left, found a greenside bunker and ultimately missed his par attempt, allowing Song to two-putt for victory.

The result extends a frustrating pattern for Cho, who also narrowly missed winning the same event in 2022 and continues to search for his first professional win in Korea in 16 years.

The Asian Tour now shifts to Chinese Taipei for the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open, where attention will turn to defending champion Ekpharit Wu.