South Korean Teenager Makes History on Challenge Tour

History was made at the weekend by Minkyu Kim, who (aged just 17 years and 64 days) became the youngest golfer to have won on either the Challenge or European Tours. The South Korean claimed victory at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge in spectacular fashion, winning by three-shots on 20-under par. 

Included was a back-nine of 30, and the teenager reflected on his performance: “I feel really happy,” said Kim. “It’s a dream. I was really nervous this morning before the round and on the first few holes, but then I made a double-bogey on six and I just wanted to get a top-three.

“I was crazy over the back nine. My driver was really good, I hit such good iron shots and my putter was really good too. I was just crazy.

“My goal is now to make the European Tour this year by finishing in the top 15.”

The record-breaking putt!

Minkyu Kim becomes the youngest champion in Challenge Tour and @EuropeanTour history with his #CzechChallenge win. pic.twitter.com/4SYCWMiqo9

— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) May 27, 2018

Now ranked 12th on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah ranking, Kim has a superb opportunity to make it onto the main circuit and follow in the footsteps of Matteo Manassero, who too achieved remarkable success at that young age, claiming victory at the 2010 CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar

A special round ????

The six under par 66 that handed Minkyu Kim his first Challenge Tour title ???? pic.twitter.com/m0DzrFTxuE

— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) May 27, 2018

Last year, Golfshake featured Minkyu Kim in this article following his sequence of winning on the EuroPro Tour last summer. That brought him to wider attention, and he has begun to replicate that form at an even higher level. We're always looking out for the next breakthrough star - particularly from the potentially enormous Asian pool of talent - and it's key to be relucant to declare anyone that golfer, as much can happen in these developmental years, but clearly Kim is a name to look out for throughout the remainder of this season and perhaps into the future.