Rookie Onishi upstages the establishment
New kid on the block Kaito Onishi from Japan added a three-under-par 67 to his opening day 65 to take the lead in the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup.
Onishi, joint overnight leader with countryman Hiroshi Iwata, began on hole 10 and impressively toured the back nine in four under with birdies on 10, 11, 15 and 18, and then reached 10 under for the tournament with a birdie on the third, before dropping shots on five and nine.
He has a two-shot lead, on eight under, over compatriots Yuki Inamori (64) and Rikuya Hoshino (67), and Australian Todd Sinnott (68) – on a rainy and windy day at Oarai Golf Club, near Tokyo.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira, the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) Money List winner in 2018 and 2019, is a stroke further behind following a 69. He’s a shot ahead of Japan’s Yuta Katsuragawa, the current leader of the JGTO money list, who also came in with a 69.
Iwata slipped back with a 74 and is one under for the tournament, which is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and JGTO. It’s the first time the Asian Tour has visited Japan since 2019 because of the pandemic.
Kaito Onishi’s distinctive swing is proving highly effective. Picture by JGTO.
Onishi only turned professional last year after graduating from the University of Southern California, but he has been quick to adjust to life in the play for pay game. Most noticeably he was fourth in the ISPS HANDA Championship last month before impressing this week.
“I’m happy to be in the lead and I hope I have the momentum over the next two days,” said 23-year-old Onishi, who is from Nagoya.
“I need to focus on each shot and not think about my position. The goal is to win, and I am confident I can do that.”
Sinnott has been playing in Japan since winning the 2017 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, an Asian Tour JGTO co-sanctioned event, and is putting together one of his finest performances in Japan.
The Australian claimed the TPS Victoria in February for his first success on the PGA Tour of Australasia and his fine form has clearly remained.
“Today’s a tough day obviously with the rain and wind,” said Sinnott.
Todd Sinnott has already won in Australia this year. Picture by JGTO.
“Honestly, I was just trying to stay really patient and just hang tough out there. I can’t even remember the round, very tired. I hit it solid in patches, but I think it’s my short game that stood out. I was able to get up and down whenever I miss the green. By doing that, I was able to keep the round going and keep the momentum going. Thankfully, I was able to play in Japan last year and this year, managed to travel to a couple more events this year. Life’s getting back to normal so it’s nice.”
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (68) and Prom Meesawat (69) are in tie for seventh on three under along with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa (67), Australia’s Ben Campbell (70) and American Berry Henson (71).
Said Sadom: “Tough conditions today but I was able to give myself a lot of birdie opportunities. Everything was good for me. Conditions were really different compared to yesterday. I tell myself to forget every shot that I hit, just focus on the next one out there. I did that better today, compared to yesterday. Happy to be in a good position right now. I need to play my best tomorrow and enjoy the game.”
Veteran Japanese golfer Hiroshi Iwata and his rookie compatriot Kaito Onishi carded five-under-par 65s to take the first-round lead in the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup at Oarai Golf Club today.
American Berry Henson, Todd Sinnott from Australia and Japan’s Shugo Imahira returned 66s – in what is the first Asian Tour event to be played in Japan since September of 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Twelve players fired 67s including Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa, currently first on Japan’s money list, and Keita Nakajima – the Japanese golfer who is the world’s number one ranked amateur.
Both Iwata, a three-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), and Onishi, a professional since last year looking for his first victory, traded seven birdies against two bogeys.
This week’s tournament, which is jointly sanctioned with the JGTO, gives the winner an exemption into The Open at St. Andrews in July which is a major attraction for Iwata.
“This is the first time I have wanted to play in the UK so much as it’s the 150th staging of The Open!” said Iwata.
“This is a great opportunity. I played well today, felt the course is a bit shorter compared with when we played it a few years ago. Tee shots are key and today I put them all in the fairway.”
The 42 year old has been enjoying a return to form of late having won The Crowns tournament a year ago, which was his first JGTO victory in six years, and he finished third in that same event at the start of the month.
Japan’s Kaito Onishi turned pro last year. Picture by JGTO.
Onishi is just 23 years old and played on the Abema Tour last year, which is Japan’s feeder tour, and has already made an impression on the JGTO this season after securing fourth in the ISPS HANDA Championship in Japan last month.
“Putting has been great for the past two weeks and it was today. Just need to straighten out my tee shots,” said Onishi, who is playing Oarai for the first time.
Henson made seven birdies and three bogeys and felt playing aggressive paid dividends.
“Japan has its own style of golf. Every time I come here, I have to adapt, I have to change, and I have to learn how to play this style,” said Henson.
“I’ve played here now for 10 years. This year I came thinking I need to play more aggressively as that’s what I see the top players do. Even if it’s a difficult shot, they play so aggressively. I did that today and it worked out.”
The Open is also something that is on the 42 year old’s radar.
Berry Henson has his eye on The Open prize. Picture by JGTO.
He added: “My goal is to win this week. I came here with an aim to grab The Open spot. My life goal is to play the British open at St. Andrews. I was aiming for that since the start of the year. Another life goal is to play the US Open at Pebble Beach. I want to just enjoy myself here in Japan. I love sushi and I enjoy Japanese food. My goal is to win and to enjoy myself this week in Japan.”
Henson is looking to secure his second win on the Asian Tour as is Sinnott.
“It was a good round. I really enjoyed playing with Ben (Campbell). Had some good chat out there. I really enjoyed the round and I like the golf course. My putting was pretty solid. I hit it decent the first 14 holes. Didn’t hit it great on the last few. I struggled a bit there but was still able to hole some nice par putts,” said Sinnott, who claimed the TPS Victoria in February for his first success on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“It’s my first time playing this course. It’s hard. We were lucky because there wasn’t much wind this morning. When the wind or rain gets up, it can play very tough out there.”
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, buoyed this week by receiving an invite to next week’s PGA Championship, came in with a 69.
He said: “I am feeling good this week. Received good news at the start of the week [about the PGA Championship] and that got me really excited. I’m playing in my first Major next week at the PGA Championship. It’s my first time playing in the United States. I have never played there before. I was preparing to play my first Major at The Open in July. Getting into the PGA Championship was really a surprise to me. My caddy found out about it on Monday and told me. I heard the courses for PGA Championship are very difficult, but we are still very excited.”
Suradit Yongcharoenchai earned a cheque for acing hole four. Picture by JGTO.
Two players made aces on par threes today: Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai holed his nine iron on the fourth while Japan’s Naoyuki Kataoka found the cup with his eight iron on 14. They both won JPY300,000 (approx. US$2,330).
Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat, or “Coco” as he’s also known on tour, is finally back in action this week at the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup after an injury layoff since the season-opening Saudi International in early February.
Battling the same neck and shoulder injury for nearly four months in the middle of 2021, Panuphol came back very strongly in the end of the year and came agonizingly close to winning the Laguna Phuket Championship in early December, finishing only one stroke behind the eventual winner Phachara Khongwatmai.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand pictured on Saturday December 4, 2021 during round three of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
After playing the first three events of 2022, the two-time Asian Tour winner was again forced into time away from the tour because of injury and rehab, but after 13 weeks away he’s finally back.
“It’s really nice. I mean, it’s really nice to be swinging it again. I haven’t been hitting a lot of balls. But it’s nice to be back on tour, to start my first week back in Japan as well. It’s a great place to be playing golf. It’s very nice to see to see some old friends too.”
“I’ve been painless for about a week, been hitting balls but not a lot. Starting it slowly, getting back to the same routine, been trying to keep up my fitness and practicing. So yeah, everything is kind of back to normal now.”
Dealing with a persistent injury in the neck and shoulder region can take time to overcome, even when doing as much rehab and physiotherapy as possible.
“Regardless of golf, I don’t think I’m back 100%, but my body is functioning better. But like I said, I’ve got no pain at the moment, but after a round of golf or after practicing there’s a bit of tightness in the neck and the shoulder. I still have to do a lot of stretching, a lot of workouts.”
After such a long time away from the tour it would be normal for anyone to feel a bit a bit rusty, even for a player of Panuphol’s calibre:
“Well, it feels weird (laughing). I’m still managing to figure out where the ball is going. My strength is not 100% back so I’m not hitting it the same distances I did before, but I’m working on it. And I mean, this time I know what to do, so it won’t take long.”
HONG KONG, CHINA – JANUARY 10: Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand tees off during the second round of the Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club on January 10, 2020 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Asked about his expectations and goals for this week, the 29-year-old Thai seems to be keeping them to a minimum:
“To be honest, I’m not expecting any good result, I’m just expecting to enjoy golf again. And expecting to you know, back to tournaments, the feeling of being back to playing a golf tournament. So, it’s a good thing, I mean I won’t be expecting myself to win the event, but if I do then it would be a surprise.”
He will also be making his long-awaited comeback on a course he will be playing for the first time this week, and course setups in Japan can be difficult.
“I’ve never played this course before this week. I played 18 on Monday, Tuesday was pro-am day, so I did some range-work and chipped and putted. It’s a tough course, very tight and narrow, greens are rolling pure. I’m expecting conditions to be very tough, like windy and rain.”
“It’s Japan conditions, you know. Playing a par-70 course with par-fours over 450 yards, we have some that are 490-500 yards, par-threes that are over 220 yards. It’s Japan standards (laughing). I’m probably going to be hitting a longer club into the greens, but it won’t stop me.”
Oarai Golf Club
Sadom Kaewkanjana is hoping his first trip to Japan in three years for this week’s Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup, at Oarai Golf Club near Tokyo, will help him recapture the eye-catching form that brought him so much success last season.
The Thai golfer won the SMBC Singapore Open in January to end what was a sensational season, that also saw him triumph five times on Thailand’s domestic circuits, including the Thailand Open. He also finished runner-up in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship in November – the Asian Tour’s first event back after a two-year COVID-19 enforced break.
SINGAPORE- Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand pictured after round four, Sunday January 23, 2022, with the winner’s trophy at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
His early season form has shown promise, but he is aiming to shift gear this week, especially as he tied for 13th in the 2019 edition of the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup, although it was played at Sobu Country Club that year.
“Personally, I really like this country, it’s very inspirational,” said the 23 year old.
“I love to play golf in Japan because of the great way you feel on the course and off the course.”
He’s been in Japan since last Thursday to allow for quarantine procedures, which is three days in Japan without the appropriate vaccine documentation.
“Arriving early means I have more time prepare as well. Golf courses in Japan are unique as the fairways are narrow and the greens small, which is different from many countries in Asia. You really need to carefully plan every shot.”
The rising star has a busy year ahead playing in Asia and beyond as by virtue of his second place finish on last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit he has been invited to play in the LIV Golf Invitational tournaments. He has also been invited to play in next week’s PGA Championship – which will mark his maiden appearance in a Major.
Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand
He added: “It’s going to be an amazing year. Right now, my main goal is to play on the Asian Tour and in the LIV Golf Invitational events this year, and maybe I will qualify for another Tour in the end of the year as well.”
The Thai golfer is also excited to be heading to the International Series England in June.
“This will be my first time playing in Europe as a professional. However, I played in Europe many times when I was an amateur. I will have to prepare myself to be ready for the weather that is different from the Asia. My plan is just to go out and do my best, not expect too much about the outcome and enjoy new experiences there.”
This week’s event is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation and features the leading players from both circuits, as well as 20 of the region’s outstanding amateur prospects.
Further kudos is added by the fact that the winner will be rewarded with an exemption into July’s 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.
Ends.
Following his popular and long-awaited victory in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at the weekend, Bio Kim says he has learned one lesson, in particular, and that is to work harder!
“It [the final round] was long and hard; it was hard mentally and physically,” said the Korean.
“It’s taught me to train harder and more diligently in the future to be able to handle this so I can get better results.”
He beat compatriot Mingyu Cho by two shots at the challenging and mountainous Namseoul Country Club, in what was the 41st edition of the event.
Surprisingly, despite a long and often much published 13-year professional career this was his first success on the Asian Tour; he only became a member in 2020 after successfully negotiating Qualifying School, having focused on playing in Korea.
He also claimed the Maekyung event 10 years ago, although it was not on the Asian Tour schedule at that point in time.
“This is a flagship event that represents Korean golf. I’m glad I could put my name up for the second time,” added Kim.
He has been on point in many of the tournaments since the Asian Tour restarted last November: he finished tied fourth, joint second, seventh and equal ninth in the final four events of last season, which finished at the Singapore Open in January; and this term he has been equally impressive with tied for fourth, fifth and third finishes. And, he has not missed the cut in the 11 events he has played.
The turning point for Kim’s recent resurgence appears to have been his victory in the LG Signature Players Championship on home soil last November before he headed to the Asian Tour Phuket Series in Phuket – where two events signaled the re-commencement of the Asian Tour after a two-year break caused by the pandemic.
On Sunday, the Korean star also hinted at a second attempt to play in the US.
In 2010, aged 20, he won his PGA Tour card at Qualifying School and played the 2011 season. He was unable to keep his playing rights for the following year and competed on the Web.com Tour (now called the Korn Ferry Tour) before returning home to play regularly on the Korean PGA Tour.
“My top priority is the Korean PGA, and then the Asian Tour schedule. There are also plans for the Korn Ferry Tour; I couldn’t give up my dream about America.”
Past, present and future stars of Asian golf will brush shoulders when the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf makes a nostalgic return to the Oarai Golf Club this week.
By Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour.
Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), not only does the ¥100 million event feature the leading players from both circuits, but also 20 of the region’s outstanding amateur prospects.
Further kudos is added by the fact that the winner will be rewarded with an exemption into July’s 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.
“Given its rich history, the Diamond Cup is truly unique,” said Andy Yamanaka, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Japan Golf Association (JGA), which hosts the event in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), Kansai TV and Mitsubishi Corporation.
Yamanaka added: “Over the years, it’s been the intention for the Diamond Cup to contribute to society through a series of charity activities, a commitment to preserve our natural environment as well as focusing on making a regional contribution through the development of junior and amateur golfers.
“The Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf has a remarkable past and we are committed to ensuring it has a glittering future.”
Inaugurated as the Dunlop Tournament in 1969, it has since then been variously called Mitsubishi Galant Tournament, Mitsubishi Motors Tournament, Diamond Cup Tournament, Mitsubishi Diamond Cup Golf, Diamond Cup Golf and, from 2014, the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf.
Past champions include dozens of legendary figures including Japanese all-time greats Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki, Tsuneyuki ‘Tommy’ Nakajima and Isao Aoki, and Major champions Peter Thomson and Todd Hamilton, a former Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
Other Asian Tour stalwarts whose names are inscribed on the winner’s trophy are Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang (2016), Thai Prayad Marksaeng (2008), American Brandt Jobe (1995), the Chinese Taipei duo of TC Chen (1993) and Lu Hsi-chuen (1981) and Filipino Ben Arda (1973).
While this will be the 11th occasion that the Diamond Cup has been held at Oarai Golf Club, it’s the first occasion since 2013 when Hideki Matsuyama claimed the title, a matter of months after turning professional.
A seaside links course on the shores of the Kashima Sea, Oarai Golf Club was designed by Seiichi Inoue in 1953. It’s a challenging and strategic course, taking advantage of the natural landscape.
A top-class Japanese field for the 2022 event includes defending champion Rikuya Hoshino, Yuka Inamori, winner of The Crowns on the JGTO a fortnight ago, and Keita Nakajima, reigning Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner, number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and already with a JGTO victory under his belt.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 18: Rikuya Hoshino of Japan plays his shot from the seventh tee during the second round of the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 18, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Nakajima, who captured the award for low amateur at last year’s Diamond Cup, won the 2021 Panasonic Open on the JGTO.
Victorious at Sagamihara Golf Club’s East Course last year, Hoshino said: “I am glad that the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf is being held at such a prestigious course in my home province this year.
“I look forward to playing in front of many local spectators, with a better situation of Covid-19. As defending champion, I am aiming to win this championship two years in a row, in front of many golf fans.”
Steeped in history, the Diamond Cup is one of the JGA’s four National Championships, alongside the Japan Open, Japan Women’s Open and Japan Senior Open.
Due to travel restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s event proceeded without overseas amateurs and purely as a part of the JGTO.
Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO, said: “We’re delighted to have this historic championship back on our schedule in 2022 and look forward to remaining a part of it for many years to come. The event is very much part of the heritage of Asian Tour and we are proud to be part of it. The APGC and JGA do a great job nurturing the next generation of professional golfers and we are proud to be part of their transition.”
The last time the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup was part of the Asian Tour in 2019, victory went to Japan’s Yosuke Asaji. It was his first win as a professional.
Micah Lauren Shin of the United States shared second place with Japanese Ren Yonezawa, then an amateur but who lines up this week as a professional.
Roared on by a huge gallery, Bio Kim from Korea finally added another important trophy to his impressive collection of titles when he claimed the 41st GS Caltex Maekyung Open at Namseoul Country Club today for the first of what could be many Asian Tour victories.
The hot favourite coming into the week thanks to a purple patch that stretches back to the end of last year, he carded a battling final round one-over-par 72 to win on nine under by two from Korean Mingyu Cho, who shot a 70 – on a day when organisers estimated 8,000 fans attended.
Korean Kyongjun Moon, winner of this event in 2015, finished third after shooting a 67.
Last season’s Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Joohyung Kim from Korea, closed with a 70 to end in joint fifth place.
It is the second time Bio Kim has won the tournament – which is one of the jewels in the crown of tournament golf in Korea, along with the Korea Open – although when he triumphed in 2012, it was not part of the Asian Tour.
The Korean star, who led the event since round two, started the day with a four-shot lead and had to overcome an early challenge on the front nine by playing-partner Cho.
Bio Kim has now claimed seven titles in Korea. Picture by KGA.
Cho joined Bio Kim tied for the lead on nine under after seven holes after he birdied four, six and seven, while Bio made bogey on six. But Cho bogeyed hole eight to slip one back before Bio reached the par-five ninth with two fine shots and birdied the hole to move two ahead of Cho.
Cho’s chances were then shot to pieces when Korean Golf Officials gave him a two-stroke penalty on the ninth for standing on the hole’s second green when playing his third. He was informed he should have taken a drop.
It meant Bio was able to cruise home unchallenged on the back nine and enjoy one of the finest most of his career; although there was a minor scare on the last when he sliced his tee shot into the trees before he got his ball back in play and made bogey.
Cho partly made up for the disappointment of his rules infringement by holing a 25-footer for birdies on 18 to finish solo second; his two shot penalty the only difference between him and Bio Kim.
“Today was very tough, I lost my concentration a few times, but I am happy to make it through,” said 31-year-old Bio Kim.
“It took all of me to win today. Namsoeul Country Club is very difficult, and a lot of good players were chasing me. As I have been doing all week, and all year, I tried to stay in the present, clear my mind and not think about things too much, like my four-shot lead on the back nine.”
He earned a cheque for US$255,536 and moved into second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with winnings of US$402, 986. American Sihwan Kim remains in top spot, despite missing the cut.
Added Bio Kim: “It is Parents’ Day which means the win has special meaning. I have a lot to thank my parents for. If my parents didn’t raise me well, I wouldn’t be here. I’m trying to be a great son and a head of the family.”
Bio Kim’s victory once again reflected his affinity for Namseoul – which began when he tied for fourth in the event in 2007 before claiming equal third the following year, remarkably on both occasions he was still an amateur. He has also posted five other top-five finishes in addition to his success a decade ago and becomes the sixth dual winner of the event; no player has won it three times.
A professional since 2009 he only became a member of the Asian Tour after graduating from the Qualifying School in 2020, where he tied fifth, just before the pandemic hit.
Mingyu Cho finished two back. Picture by KGA.
And his performances since the Asian Tour’s restart at the end of last year have been the talk of the Tour. Since last November he has posted seven top-10s in nine events, including five top-five results. Tied second place at the Laguna Phuket Championship in 2021 had been his best finish before today’s breakthrough.
He played on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour early on his career before concentrating on competing in Korea – where he has been victorious on seven occasions, including this week.
His success today is a defining moment for a golfer who has made headlines throughout his career – including at the beginning when, remarkably, he claimed the Korea and Japan open amateur titles in 2008 and made it through the PGA Tour Qualifying School in 2010 aged just 20.
Said Joohyung Kim: “I had a lot of unlucky breaks. I really wanted to win, it’s one of the big events in Korea and it was my first event back here since last year. But I still finished inside the top five, it was a great week, and I gave it my all, but it just wasn’t enough.”
The Asian Tour heads to Japan next week for the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup at Oarai Golf Club, from May 12-15.
Bio Kim overcame an unexpected scare on the first hole – when a scoring official collapsed on the tee near to him – to take the third-round lead in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open today at Namseoul Country Club.
The Korean star fired a three-under-par 68 to lead on 10 under, by four from his countrymen Minjun Kim and Mingyu Cho, also in with 68s, and Jiho Yang, who shot 71 – in the Asian Tour’s first event back in Korea since 2019.
Kim started the day in a share of the lead but suffered a major distraction on the first when 20-year-old university student Woojun Lee, who was handling one of the scoreboards, collapsed just before he was due to tee off.
A doctor in the large crowd, who had gathered to watch the final group, as well as Kim rushed to help him before an ambulance was called. Lee, who suffers from Anemia, eventually made a full recovery at hospital.
Korea’s Mingyu Cho is tied for second. Picture by KGA.
The whole incident lasted about 10 minutes and when Kim finally got going, he made a double on the first.
“To be honest, I wasn’t too distracted on the first. We all thought we had better wait to help him before getting going. I missed the tee shot, it was a tough pin position and I three putted – maybe I was just nervous,” said Kim.
“I eventually got my flow going and having such big crowds was huge motivation. I have a lot of memories here but I’m not thinking about things too much, just keep a very clear mind.”
He is bidding to claim his first title on the Asian Tour on the back of an inspired run of form which has seen him post seven top-10 finishes in nine events, highlighted by a tied second finish at the Laguna Phuket Championship at the end of 2021.
He has actually won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open before, back in 2012, but it was not part of the Asian Tour then.
Kim grew up playing amateur golf at Namseoul and made his debut on the Asian Tour when tied fourth in the 2007 GS Caltex Maekyung Open before claiming equal third the following year, remarkably on both occasions he was still an amateur.
And as a member of the professional ranks, he has also posted five other top-five finishes in addition to his victory a decade ago.
He needed to draw on all his experience today to get ahead; he fired seven birdies, two bogies and one double.
His impressive round was built upon six birdies in the space of eight holes from the seventh.
The tournament has also so far seen strong performances by players from South Asia with India’s Khalin Joshi and Viraj Madappa five off the lead in joint fifth, following rounds of 69 and 72 respectively.
And Indian Honey Baisoya carded a 66, the joint-lowest round of the day, to sit in outright seventh, another shot back.
“Game is feeling good, so looking forward to tomorrow,” said Joshi.
“I haven’t played in front of gallery like this in a while, so I’m really excited. Today was good fun playing with two local boys, and the support we had was pretty good.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen crowds. And for me personally, I haven’t been in contention in a while, so it’s good. It’s getting me charged for sure, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Said Madappa: “It was a little erratic today, I feel like the wind was swirling a little bit. I started off really well. The front nine I played good honestly, tee to green was really solid and I made a few putts. I put myself in good places on the front nine and on the back nine… Just when the wind started swirling I made a few bad decisions off the tee. Misjudged some of the wind and put myself in tough spots.”
India’s Viraj Madappa is excelling in his maiden appearance at Namseoul. Picture by KGA.
Both Joshi and Madappa are in search of their second wins on the Asian Tour.
Reigning Asian Tour number one Joohyung Kim from Korea fired a 72 and is in a group of five players seven off the pace, along with Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan who carded a 66.
As many predicted Korean Bio Kim asserted his influence on the GS Caltex Maekyung Open today and moved to the top of the leaderboard at Namseoul Country Club at the halfway mark.
In-form and with an impressive track record here at Namseoul this week’s hot favourite leads on seven under, although shares the limelight with compatriots Dongmin Lee and Minhyuk Song, a 17-year-old amateur, who joined him in front.
Kim, who won this event at the same venue in 2012, shot a three-under-par 68 while veteran Lee carded a 70 and Song, an impressive 66.
India’s Viraj Madappa, inspired by a hole in one, shot a 65 to sit a shot back with Korean Jiho Yang, who returned a 67.
Kim grew up playing top-level amateur golf at Namseoul and made his debut on the Asian Tour when tied fourth in the 2007 GS Caltex Maekyung Open before claiming equal third the following year, remarkably on both occasions he was still an amateur.
And as a member of the professional ranks, he has also posted five other top-five finishes in addition to his victory a decade ago when the event was not on the Asian Tour schedule.
The 31 year old was quickly into his stride today thanks to three birdies on the front nine. He made an unexpected double-bogey on the 13th but confidently bounced back with birdies on the next two holes.
“I felt comfortable out there today and it was certainly inspiring to play in front of such big crowds. We haven’t done that in a long time,” said Kim.
“It’s great to still be playing at the same level I have been this year and put myself into a good position into the weekend.”
He’s been the cusp of a first Asian Tour victory several times since its restart at the end of last year, recording five top-five finishes plus two other top-10s.
Little-known Song is enjoying playing the finest tournament of his fledgling career.
“I am now tied first! I feel like I’ve been given a whole new opportunity,” said the youngster, who suffered a herniated disk last year.
Madappa aced the par-three third with a seven iron to help make his move in an event he is competing in for the first time.
“One of the main reasons why I came here you know: the legend of Namseoul,” said the 24-year-old Indian, who has triumphed once on the Asian Tour at the 2018 TAKE Solutions Masters on home soil.
“I was really excited to start the week here and I think it’s lived up to the expectation. I’m pretty sure it’s going to get a little tougher for the next few days.”
About the hole in one he said: “It was actually anticlimactic, because I thought the ball went long but it ended up going in the hole. We were actually looking for the ball and ended up looking in the hole thankfully.”
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim is three off the lead after a 68.
He was also particularly excited to be playing in front of so many spectators.
“It’s amazing to participate in a Korean tournament with crowds,” said 19 year old.
“It is my first time to see the gallery in Korea for a long, long time as there were no galleries last year, including at overseas tournament too, because of Covid. It was great because they cheered me on a lot.”
The rising star said he is gearing up for an epic summer as he will play in The Open, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship.
Korean Dongmin Lee took the first-round lead with a six-under-par 65 at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open today, helped by drawing on the experience of playing in the prestigious event on many occasions.
His compatriot Hyungjoon Lee came in with a 66 at Namseoul Country Club – in an event which marks the first time that the Asian Tour has been to Korea since 2019.
“I have a lot of experience on this course, so I know exactly where I shouldn’t go and where I should go,” said 36-year-old Dongmin Lee.
“A first day six under par round is great. I hope I can play the rest of the tournament this well. It’s my best score in this course. Namseoul is difficult, but I played aggressively, and things worked out well.”
Dongmin Lee is a two-time winner on the Korean PGA Tour, including last year’s Descente Korea Munsingwear Match Play.
He began his round early in the morning on hole 10 and could be forgiven for starting with a bogey as conditions were very cold before bright sunny weather started to warm things up.
Hyungjoon Lee is a five-time winner in Korea. Picture by Korean PGA.
The Korean, a professional for two decades, ended up shooting eight birdies including on the last three holes and dropped just two shots.
He added: “It’s just the first day though, I need to pace myself and just focus on playing my own game over the next three days.”
Hyungjoon Lee finished joint second in the Korean PGA Tour’s season opening DB Insurance Life tournament last month and picked up where he left off with an equally impressive round today, which also started on the back nine, made up of six birdies and one bogey.
“I teed up early in the morning. There was no wind really until the second [11th] and third [12th] holes. It was easy to make a birdie. I felt confident,” said Hyungjoon Lee.
“I had about a three-week break after the season opening tournament and I spent a lot of time practicing my putting to get ready for Namseoul. I really wanted to work on my feel and touch. I practiced at quite a lot of different venues and came to Namseoul four times.”
The 29 year old completed his 18-month military service in July last year and struggled with his game when transitioning back into normal life.
He added: “I did not play very well after finishing military service and was very disappointed. I got away from the Korean winter and went to practice in Chiang Mai for a month and a half this year and that was a big help.”
The Korean is a five-time winner in Korea but like Dongmin Lee he is looking for his maiden title on the Asian Tour.
Bio Kim won this event in 2012. Picture by Korean PGA.
Korean Bio Kim, winner of this event in 2012 when it was not on the Asian Tour schedule, and Junggon Hwang, a four-time winner in Japan, fired 67s.
Thailand’s Natipong Srithong carded a 68 along with Asian Tour Qualifying School graduates Neil Schietekat from South Africa and Ireland’s Kevin Phelan, as well as India’s Khalin Joshi, Canadian Richard T. Lee and Koreans Doyeob Mun, Junghwan Lee, and Yoon Chung.
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