Kevin mixes it up well to open with a 66
AMERICAN Kevin Na is a familiar face at the CIMB Classic, having featured in six out of the eight editions so far.
He missed the 2011 and 2013 editions.
The Seoul- born 34- year- old came close to winning the CIMB Classic twice – before finishing second in 2014 and joint third in 2015.
In fact, he has never finished outside the top 30 in his three other appearances – including being tied for 10th in 2012 at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.
He also boast an impressive average score of 68.05.
Even when he did not finish as well as he would have liked to, like joint 29th last year, Kevin still left the TPC Kuala Lumpur with a big smile as he earned his first hole-in- one in his 15-year PGA Tour career.
He was again in high spirits yesterday, after getting his sixth CIMB Classic campaign off to a strong start by firing a six-under 66 to be tied for fifth – two shots behind leader Cameron Smith of Australia.
Kevin could have finished a stroke lower, but a poor second shot at the par-five 18th saw him finish the day with a bogey.
“I played really great today, hit some great close iron shots for some tap-in birdies and holed out on the 16th for an eagle. That was nice,” he said after mixing one eagle, six birdies and two bogeys.
“A little disappointed to finish with a bogey. It’s a birdie hole and I didn’t do very good there. Otherwise, I played very well.”
Malaysia surely holds a special place in Kevin’s heart as it was here that he claimed his first professional title.
He was only 18 when he won the 2012 Volvo Masters of Asia on the Asian Tour at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
He now hopes to build on yesterday’s solid start to help him end a six-year wait for his second PGA Tour crown.
“I think Malaysia loves me. I think that’s the secret (of my success),” joked Kevin, who won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2011.
“Last year I made a hole-in-one and won a car. So, a lot of good things here.
“I’ve had many close calls here. Hopefully I’ll get myself in contention and give myself another chance.”