An shoots superb 64 to lead at CJ Cup
Kiradech, Koepka in a group at joint 15th
JEJU ISLAND: Defending champion Brooks Koepka needed a late eagle to card a three-under-par first round at the CJ Cup yesterday but found himself five shots behind local hero An ByeongHun, who had the galleries rocking.
World No.1 Koepka endured a rollercoaster round at Nine Bridges on South Korea’s Jeju Island with three bogeys, four birdies and the stunning eagle three on the long 18th.
“Just a little sloppy there,” said Koepka. “I felt I hit the ball good but the wind was so light I felt like it was switching a bit.
“I think this golf course is a little bit easier if it blows a little bit, the wind is more consistent.”
An seemed a little surprised that he had managed eight birdies in a flawless round of 64, including three in a row from the 11th, as he ripped apart the picturesque 7,241-yard Nine Bridges layout.
“It was a strange day,” said An, the world No.48.
“During the practice rounds I wasn’t striking the ball at all well. I was worried because I didn’t hit it well at the range this morning. But as the round went on, I got my feel back.”
Hot on the South Korean’s heels are Chile’s Joachin Niemann, one shot back after a seven-under 65, and Jason Day, who made a perfect seasonal debut after a seven-week lay-off with a bogeyfree 66.
The 20-year-old Niemann earned his first PGA Tour win at The Greenbrier last month while former world No.1 Day is chasing a Presidents Cup wildcard.
Another former No.1, Jordan Spieth, has endured a torrid couple of years with no wins since The Open in July 2017, but felt he was on the right track after an opening 70 in his first event for almost two months.
“All in all two under after seven weeks off is pretty solid start,” Spieth said. “I definitely thought it got better as the round went on.
KIRADECH’S SOLID START
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a solid three-under 69 to lie five shots off the pace at joint 15th.
The 30-year-old, making his first start of the 2019-20 PGA Tour Season, started his round strongly with four successive birdies from the 11th to 14th holes before trading three bogeys against two more birdies.
Countryman Jazz Janewattananond was five over through 11 holes before fighting back with four birdies to sign for a 74 and ended the day in T62. Kiradech was satisfied with his start. “There’s a lot of good things in there, a lot of good shots. Just missed a couple of putts overall. I had one poor shot all day. Three under to start, I’ll accept it with the way my body is. I mean, it’s quite tiring. Hopefully I can stay strong enough to play well for four days,” said Kiradech, who is the only Thai to hold a full PGA Tour card.