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Seungmin Lee, a professional golfer with autism spectrum disorder, became the first champion of the US Open with disabilities.
He won after extra time.
Correspondent Seo Dae-won.
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US Open for the Disabled is an international competition established this year by the American Golf Association, which hosts the US Open for the disabled.
They play on different tees depending on the degree of disability, and Seung-Min Lee, who has autism developmental disability grade 3 with a domestic professional qualification, played on the back tee and was the only player to record an under-par score throughout the third round.
Lee Seung-min, who finished joint lead at 3-under par, caught a thrilling birdie in overtime and became the first champion and cheered as he was baptized with water.
[Lee Seung-min: I am so honored to be able to win such a meaningful competition.]
Lee Seung-min, diagnosed with autism developmental disorder at the age of two, started playing golf in the first year of middle school and began to stand out by competing with non-disabled people. I did.
With the devoted support of his parents, in 2017, at the age of 20, he also became the first person with a developmental disability to become a full member of the Korean Professional Golf Tour.
He set the record for passing the cut twice in domestic regular tour competitions, and even challenged to advance to the US PGA Second Division Tour last year.
Seungmin Lee, the first champion of the US Open for the disabled who will remain in the history of golf, vowed to keep moving forward with the goal of participating in the 'Masters' Masters in the future.
[Lee Seung-min: I will become Lee Seung-min, a golf player who never gives up.
Thank you.]
(Video editing: Oh Young-taek)