Steady Sung-hoon stays in the hunt

SOUTH Korean Kang Sung-hoon capitalised on a fast start to sign for a four-under 68 and stay in contention for the biggest win of his career at the CIMB Classic.

Starting the day three shots off the lead, Sung-hoon shot off the blocks with birdies on the second, third and fifth holes to turn in with a 33 at the TPC Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The 2013 Korean Open champion then mixed two more birdies and a bogey on his return journey for a nine-under 135 total to be in joint third – just four strokes behind leader Pat Perez of the US.

“I think I just played pretty good solid golf, just trying to keep it nice and as close as possible (to the leader),” he said.

Sung-hoon also admitted that the rain delay helped him cope with jet lag, having only arrived on Tuesday after finishing joint 62nd at the season-opening Safeway Open in California.

“Yes, (the delay helped) a little bit. My time zone’s still not on yet, so I feel a little sleepy,” he said.

World No. 3 Hideki Matsuyama of Japan also made his move up the leaderboard after carding an improved 68 to join Sung-hoon in the race to become Asia’s first CIMB Classic winner in eight editions.

Matsuyama, last year’s runner-up, marked his scorecard with an eagle, three birdies and a bogey to claim a share of eighth spot on six-under 138.

But he expects to do way better over the next two days.

“I’m not hitting the ball as well as I would have liked to,” said Matsuyama, who passed his chance to defend the Japan Open title this week.

“I’m going to have to really turn it on this weekend to get into contention.”

Two-time SEA Games gold medallist Poom Saksansin, failed to build on his opening 65 as he could only manage a 74 to be joint 15th with seven others, including Thai compatriot Jazz Janewattananond.