Korean Golf Team Triumphs over Japan

The Korean men’s golf team edged Japan yesterday in the last round of the 2004 Yongpyeong Butch Hill Cup national rivalry match-up between the two nations held at Yongpyeong Butch Hill Golf Course (par 72), Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.

With total prize money of $600,000, Korea and Japan charged into sudden-death overtime after the 18th hole (par 5.496m) amid an unending slugfest with 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses in the single-stroke match on the day after a another tiebreak of 5 wins and 5 losses in the single-hole match the day before.

The two ace players who stood for both teams in overtime were Yang Yong-Eun (32 Kasco) and Danihara Hideto (26). Yang was the main highlight, sinking a dramatic birdie on the 18th hole to record a draw against Japan’s Maruyama Daisuke after defeating Miyamoto Katsumasa the day before with a 2-and-1 (a two-stroke victory with a hole remaining).

Yang, who teed off with his specialty long strokes 30m further than Danihara, faced a crucial moment after his second shot fell into the bunker, left side of the green, but he safely chipped in a 2.5m shot and made 3-on.

Danihara also succeeded in a 3-on from a similar range, but landed on a plain uphill lie while Yang had to play in a tough downhill lie. Danihara’s go-ahead birdie putt stopped at the left side of the hole. As a result, he ended up with a par.

Yang, who kept coming and going off the front and rear of the hole to check the putting line, picked up a satisfying birdie putt and enjoyed the victory as he fell into the arms of his compatriots who gathered on the green.

With 10 players participating on each team, Korea’s winning team earned $300,000; Japan received $100,000, and individual winning players pocketed a bonus of $10,000 for each victory.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com