Jiho Yang [main picture] continued his dream run in the KOLON Korea Open today, shooting a four-under-par 67 for the clubhouse lead halfway through the second round on Friday.

The Korean is out in front on 10-under by four from Sangmoon Bae, his decorated countryman who claimed this event in 2008 and 2009.

Bae, one of only six players to have claimed this event back-to-back in its 68-year history, shot his second successive 68 – here at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, a couple of hours drive south of the capital Seoul.

Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, one of the event’s star players also in town for next week’s LIV Golf Korea, fired a brilliant 65 to bounce back into contention after an opening 73. He is six behind the leader in joint third place with Sweden’s Charlie Lindh, who carded a 70.

On a beautiful sunny day that replaced yesterday’s grey skies and rain, Yang showed no signs of the pressure involved in leading his country’s premier golfing contest.

Abraham Ancer.

He led at the start of the day thanks to an opening 65 and remained in control by going three under on the front nine, with four birdies and one bogey. He dropped shots on 13 and 15 but responded magnificently by making a birdie on 17 and an eagle on the par-five 18^th.

The 41 year old is a two-time winner on the Korean PGA Tour, in 2022 and 2023. He has only played in a few Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2007.

Half the field are still to complete their rounds this afternoon in what is the seventh leg of the season on the Asian Tour.

Pictures courtesy Korea Golf Association.