1. Overview
Park Sung-joon (박성준Korean; born June 9, 1986) is a South Korean professional golfer. Standing 5.7 ft (1.75 m) tall and weighing 161 lb (73 kg), he turned professional in 2006. Throughout his career, he has achieved two professional tournament victories, including one on the Japan Golf Tour and another on the Japan Challenge Tour. He notably finished 5th on the Japan Golf Tour money list in 2013 and later earned his PGA Tour card for the 2014-15 season after playing on the Web.com Tour. Park has also represented South Korea in international team golf competitions.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Park Sung-joon was born on June 9, 1986, in South Korea. He began his professional circuit career in 2006, marking his official debut on the professional circuit.
3. Professional Playing Career
Park Sung-joon's professional career has seen him compete across various tours, including the Korean Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Japan Challenge Tour, Web.com Tour, and the PGA Tour.
3.1. Japan Golf Tour
Park played extensively on the Japan Golf Tour, where he secured his maiden victory at the 2013 Vana H Cup KBC Augusta. His strong performance that season led him to finish 5th on the tour's money list. However, he also experienced a playoff loss at the 2013 Fujisankei Classic.
3.2. Japan Challenge Tour
Prior to his success on the main Japan Golf Tour, Park competed on the Japan Challenge Tour. His participation on this tour culminated in a victory at the 2010 JGTO Novil Final, showcasing his potential for higher-level competition.
3.3. Web.com Tour and PGA Tour
In 2014, Park Sung-joon joined the Web.com Tour as part of his efforts to reach the PGA Tour. His performance on the Web.com Tour Finals was crucial, as he finished 44th, which was sufficient to earn his PGA Tour card for the 2014-15 season. This allowed him to compete on golf's premier circuit.
4. Professional Wins
Park Sung-joon has achieved two official professional tournament victories in his career. These wins include one on the Japan Golf Tour and one on the Japan Challenge Tour.
4.1. Japan Golf Tour Wins
Park secured one victory on the Japan Golf Tour:
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 1, 2013 | Vana H Cup KBC Augusta | -12 (67-68-69=204)* | 2 strokes | Hwang Jung-gon |
- Note: The 2013 Vana H Cup KBC Augusta was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
4.2. Japan Challenge Tour Wins
Park has one victory on the Japan Challenge Tour:
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 22, 2010 | JGTO Novil Final | -13 (68-69-66=203) | 3 strokes | Tatsuya Mitsuhashi, Hidezumi Shirakata |
5. Playoff Records
Park Sung-joon has participated in playoff situations on both the Korean Tour and the Japan Golf Tour.
5.1. Korean Tour Playoff Record
Park has a playoff record of 0 wins and 1 loss on the Korean Tour:
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006 | SBS Jungheung Gold Lake Open | Kang Kyung-nam | Lost to eagle on second extra hole |
5.2. Japan Golf Tour Playoff Record
Park has a playoff record of 0 wins and 1 loss on the Japan Golf Tour:
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013 | Fujisankei Classic | Hideki Matsuyama, Hideto Tanihara | Matsuyama won with birdie on second extra hole |
6. Major Championships
Park Sung-joon has made one appearance in a major championship during his career.
| Tournament | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | |
| U.S. Open | CUT |
| The Open Championship | |
| PGA Championship |
CUT = missed the half-way cut. Park did not play in the Masters Tournament, The Open Championship, or PGA Championship during this period.
7. Team Appearances
Park Sung-joon has represented South Korea in international team golf competitions.
- World Cup (representing South Korea): 2011
8. Awards and Honors
Park Sung-joon received the Korean Tour Rookie of the Year award in 2023.