Korean duo join flawless Han at top
CHEONAN: Seungsu Han of the United States set the early pace in the 64th edition of the Kolon Korea Open yesterday, posting a flawless three-under-par 68 in the morning which was later matched by Korea’s Lee Jung-Hwan and Hwang Jae-Min at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
A moderate breeze offered few favours in the morning and with rainy conditions during the afternoon and the threat of thunderstorms, the early field gained a slight advantage in the 1.35 billion won event, which is cosanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korea Golf Association.
Lee, a two-time winner on the Korean circuit, also stayed blemish-free while Hwang capped a strong finish with three birdies in his closing six holes. Together with Han, they hold a oneshot lead over a host of players after the opening round.
Lee was glad to rediscover his best form since completing his National Service.
“I stayed bogey-free on a difficult course,” he said. “I feel good because I got a good result even though the weather was bad.”
“I haven’t played well after coming out from the army but my game has been more stable since I got married last year.”
Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, winner of the DGC Open, opened with a birdie on 10th but dropped a shot on 13 before picking up back-to-back birdies to turn in 33. He dropped another shot on the first but recovered with a birdie on the sixth to settle for a share of fourth place.
Defending champion Junseok Lee of Australia and Korea’s Kim Bi-O, placed second on the Order of Merit, returned with identical 72s while Merit leader Sihwan Kim of the United States was left to rue a disappointing 75.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
(par-71, a denotes amateur) 68 — Seungsu Han (USA), Hwang Jae-Min#859 (KOR), Lee Jung-Hwan (KOR) 69 — Nitithorn Thippong (THA), Jarin Todd (USA), Hong Soon-Sang (KOR), Lee Sang-Hee (KOR), Chang Wei-lun (TPE), Ok Tae-Hoon (KOR), Moon Kyong-Jun (KOR) 70 — Jung Tae-Yang (KOR), Kim Byung-Jun (KOR), Ham Jeong-Woo (KOR), Miguel Tabuena (PHI), Joo Heung-Chol (KOR) 71 — Park Jeong-Min (KOR), Hwang Do-Yeon (KOR), Lee Jae-Kyeong (KOR), Poom Saksansin (THA), Cho Ming-Yu (KOR), Kim Han-Byeol (KOR), Sarit Suwannarut (THA), Lee Hyung-Joon (KOR), Hwang Jung-Gon (KOR), Kim Hong-Taek (KOR), Siddikur Rahman (BAN), Yubin Jang (a, KOR), Todd Baek (USA)