S. Korean Im Sung-jae captures 2nd career PGA Tour title

Powered by a blistering final round, South Korean Im Sung-jae has captured his second career PGA Tour title. Im won the Shriners Children's Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas on Sunday (local time), after pouring in nine birdies in a bogey-free final round of 62. By finishing at 24-under 260, Im will cash in a winner's check of $1.26 million. Im, the 2018-19 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, picked up his first title at the Honda Classic in March 2020. He joins Choi Kyoung-ju, Yang Yong-eun, Bae Sa

GolfOct. 11, 2021

Ko Jin-young captures 3rd LPGA title of 2021 in record-tying fashion

World No. 2 Ko Jin-young has found the LPGA winner's circle for the third time in 2021, while also tying a scoring record held by a legend and making a late-season push for the Player of the Year award. Ko went wire-to-wire to capture the Cognizant Founders Cup at the par-71 Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey, on Sunday (local time). After shooting a five-under 66, Ko finished at 18-under 266, four strokes better than Caroline Masson of Germany. This was Ko's 14th consecu

GolfOct. 11, 2021

S. Korea looking to end drought vs. Iran in away World Cup qualifying match

Regardless of what their head coach says, South Korean players should know this will not be just another match. South Korea will face Iran in their first away match of the final Asian qualification round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday. The kickoff at Azadi Stadium in Tehran is 5 p.m. (local time), or 10:30 p.m. in Seoul. At No. 22, Iran are the highest-ranked team from Asia, 14 spots above South Korea. Iran are also leading Group A of the ongoing phase with three straight wins, having

SoccerOct. 11, 2021

Choo Shin-soo has bigger fish to fry after becoming oldest member of KBO's 20-20 club

After becoming the oldest player in South Korean baseball history to put up 20 home runs and 20 steals in the same season Tuesday night, SSG Landers' outfielder Choo Shin-soo wasn't really in the mood to celebrate. For one, Choo has done this before -- not once, but three times in Major League Baseball (MLB). The 2018 American League All-Star for the Texas Rangers enjoyed 20-20 campaigns in 2009 and 2010 with the Cleveland Indians, and 2013 with the Cincinnati Reds. Also, the Landers are in the

BaseballOct. 6, 2021

Nat'l football captain Son Heung-min hopes for fans' return

As he reported to the national football team's training camp Tuesday ahead of two World Cup qualifiers, captain Son Heung-min had just one wish. "I'd like to play in front of fans," the Tottenham Hotspur star said after arriving at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in a video clip shared by the Korea Football Association (KFA) Tuesday. Son won't get that wish this time -- at least not at home. South Korea will host Syria at Ansan Wa Stadium in Ansan, Gyeo

SoccerOct. 5, 2021

[Newsmaker] Park Ji-sung asks United supporters to stop singing his fan chant

South Korean soccer icon Park Ji-sung called on Manchester United fans to stop singing a song about him, during an interview with the team’s podcast released Sunday. Park recalled hearing his song, which includes a disparaging joke about Koreans eating dog meat, and shared his mixed feelings. “Having a fan chant is meaningful for the player. This is something that I am very proud of. But when I heard the lyrics, I was uncomfortable,” said Park, who joined Manchester United in

SoccerOct. 4, 2021

Disappointments abound for S. Koreans as 2021 MLB regular season ends

For the six South Korean players who saw regular season action in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2021, it was mostly a disappointing campaign, with a couple of them hoping for a chance to change the narrative in the postseason. Toronto Blue Jays' starter Ryu Hyun-jin, the longest-tenured member of the contingent, won his final start of the season in Toronto on Sunday (local time). His five innings of two-run ball helped the Blue Jays get past the Baltimore Orioles 12-4 at Rogers Centre. Ryu fi

BaseballOct. 4, 2021

Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin wins final regular season start, team falls short of postseason

Backed by an explosive offense, Toronto Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin has matched his career high in wins in a must-win regular season finale, though it wasn't enough to get the club into the postseason. Ryu held the Baltimore Orioles to two runs over five innings in a 12-4 victory at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sunday (local time). Ryu, who gave up six hits and struck out seven, finished the season at 14-10 with a 4.37 ERA. He has now won 14 games in a season for the fourth time in his career, tho

BaseballOct. 4, 2021

Chungcheong picks up pace in bid to host 2027 World University Games

Korea’s four local governments in the central region -- Daejeon, Sejong, North and South Chungcheong provinces -- are picking up the pace in their bid to host the 2027 FISU World University Games. When the bid process was opened for the 2027 and 2029 University Games on Sept. 1, the local government’s joint organization named Chungcheong Megacity Bid Committee (CMBC) submitted a letter of intention to host the 2027 Games to the International University Sports Federation. The CMBC

More SportsSept. 29, 2021

Korean K.J. Choi wins PGA's senior golf tour event

Veteran Choi Kyoung-ju has won a PGA Tour Champions tournament, becoming the first Korean golfer to win a men's professional senior golf tour event. Choi, affectionately known as K.J. Choi, shot a final round of 68, with five birdies and one bogey, for a total of 13-under 203 at the PGA TOUR Champions PURE Insurance Championship held at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, on Sunday (US time). It is the first victory for a Korean golfer at the PGA Tour Champions, formerly known a

GolfSept. 27, 2021

Kwon Soon-woo captures maiden ATP title, 1st S. Korean winner in 18 years

  Kwon Soon-woo claimed his maiden ATP Tour title at the Astana Open on Sunday, becoming the first South Korean champion on the world's top tennis circuit in more than 18 years. Kwon, world No. 82, defeated the 65th-ranked James Duckworth in straight sets, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 in Nur-Sultan. The last Korean to take an ATP title is the retired Lee Hyung-taik from January 2003. Kwon and Lee are now the only two South Koreans to win a regular ATP Tour event. "I am just really, really happy

More SportsSept. 26, 2021

[Photo News] World surfing champions

Since its debut at the Tokyo Olympics, the popularity of surfing has been on the rise around the world. On Sept. 14, surfers competed at the finals of the Rip Curl World Surfing League, one of the world‘s largest surfing events. The championship was held at Trestles Beach in California, a top surf destination. Trestles Beach is well known for its dynamic waves and ideal wind conditions.  Gabriel Medina, a surfer who won the 2014 and 2018 championships, defeated Filipe Toledo, after

More SportsSept. 22, 2021

Injured Son Heung-min to miss Tottenham's upcoming continental match

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean star Son Heung-min will miss the club's continental match this week with a leg injury sustained on recent international duty. Tottenham will face the French club Stade Rennais FC in Rennes, France, on Thursday to open Group G action at the UEFA Europa Conference League. After arriving in France on Wednesday, Tottenham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo told reporters that Son didn't travel with the Premier League club. Son was one of three Tottenham players missing i

SoccerSept. 16, 2021

Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun picks up 1st save of season

Starter-turned-reliever Kim Kwang-hyun has recorded his first save of the season for the St. Louis Cardinals, helping his club move into a playoff position. The South Korean left-hander closed out the Cardinals' 7-6 victory over the New York Mets in 11 innings at Citi Field in New York on Tuesday (local time). This was Kim's first save of 2021 and second save of his major league career. He picked up a save in his big league debut last year. As the eighth St. Louis pitcher of the game, Kim gave

BaseballSept. 15, 2021

Rangers' Yang Hyeon-jong sent back to minors

South Korean pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong is back in the minor leagues for the Texas Rangers. Before hosting the Houston Astros in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday (local time), the Rangers announced that they have optioned Yang to their Triple-A club, the Round Rock Express. Another pitcher, Wes Benjamin, was also sent to Round Rock, while pitcher Drew Anderson and infielder Brock Holt were activated from the injured list. Yang is 0-3 with a 5.60 ERA in 12 appearances, including four starts. Yang h

BaseballSept. 15, 2021

Daegu FC eliminated in round of 16 at AFC Champions League

Daegu FC crashed out of Asia's top club football competition on Tuesday, as their first trip to the knockout stage lasted just one match. Daegu fell to Nagoya Grampus 4-2 at Toyota Stadium in Toyota, Japan, in the round of 16 at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League. Jakub Swierczok scored a hat trick for the winning side, with Shinnosuke Nakatani scoring the other goal for the Japanese club. For Daegu FC, Cesinha and Edgar had a goal apiece. This was Daegu's first appearance in

SoccerSept. 14, 2021

K League-leading Ulsan set to begin quest for 2nd straight Asian club title

Ulsan Hyundai FC, currently leading the top South Korean football league, will open their bid for a second straight continental title this week. Ulsan will be among four K League 1 clubs to play a round of 16 matches at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ulsan, the 2020 champions, will host Kawasaki Frontale at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 415 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Before that, Daegu FC will play Nagoya Grampus at T

SoccerSept. 13, 2021

Hwang Hee-chan scores in Premier League debut for Wolverhampton

  South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan has scored in his Premier League debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers, wasting little time to make a strong first impression. The 25-year-old forward netted Wolves' second goal of their 2-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road in Watford, England, on Saturday (local time). This was Wolves' first victory of the season in their fourth match and also their first two goals of the campaign. Hwang is the 14th South Korean to play in the Premier League and seve

SoccerSept. 12, 2021

Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin torched by Orioles in shortest start of season

Toronto Blue Jays' starter Ryu Hyun-jin got roughed up by the lowly Baltimore Orioles, narrowly avoiding his ninth loss of the season when his offense bailed him out in late innings. The South Korean left-hander pitched a season-low 2 1/3 innings and allowed seven earned runs on eight hits at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Saturday (local time) in the first game of a doubleheader. The Blue Jays trailed 7-3 when Ryu got the hook, but rallied for an 11-10 victory over the worst team

BaseballSept. 12, 2021

Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin to pitch on regular rest vs. Orioles

Toronto Blue Jays' starter Ryu Hyun-jin will make his next start on regular rest after all. The Blue Jays, currently in Baltimore for a four-game series against the Orioles, announced Friday (local time) that the South Korean left-hander will start the first game of a doubleheader at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Saturday. The first pitch is set for 4:35 p.m. Saturday in Baltimore, or 5:35 a.m. Sunday in Seoul. Ryu's previous start came on Monday at Yankee Stadium, where he pitch

BaseballSept. 11, 2021