Golf: Indonesia’s Rory Among Three Sharing Lead in South Korea

Park Sang-Hyun shot a seven-under-par 65 Friday to grab a share of the lead with fellow South Korean Kim Bi-O and Indonesian Rory Hie after two rounds of the SK Telecom Open.

The trio are eight-under with two-round totals of 136 at Pinx Golf Club, on the South Korean holiday island of Jeju, the fourth stop on OneAsia’s 2012 schedule and offering a purse of about $900,000.

They lie two ahead of South Korean Kang Min-Woong and New Zealander Mark Brown, and a further stroke in front of a handful of players including Hu Mu from China and American Garrett Sapp.

US PGA stalwart K.J. Choi, arguably the best player Asia has ever produced, ensured he would remain the star attraction at the weekend by shooting one-under to leave him at level par and safe from a cut set at two-over par.

Overnight leader Bi-O, winner of the GS Caltex Maekyung in Seoul last week and second on the OneAsia Order of Merit, fired a 68 to match his opening round and stay well in the hunt for back-to-back titles.

“Yesterday I had a few issues with my driver but putted really well,” Bi-O told One Asia. He is also the reigning Nanshan China Masters champion on OneAsia.

The round of the day belonged to Park, however, who challenged Bi-O for 54 holes last week before finishing in fourth place. He attributed his flawless performance to working out and getting married.

“I am so much more at peace this year,” he said.

Park heads into uncharted territory this weekend, however, having never made it to the fourth round of a tournament on Jeju Island. Last year’s event was cut to three rounds because of fog.

“The weather here in Jeju is so unpredictable. I hope I play well tomorrow and will think about Sunday when it comes,” he said.

Leading Scores:

136 – Rory Hie (INA) 70-66, KIM Bi-O (KOR) 68-68, Park Sang-Hyun (KOR) 71-65

138 – Kang Min-Woong (KOR) 71-67, Mark Brown (NZL) 72-66

139 – Hu Mu (CHN) 70-69, Mo Joong-Kyung (KOR) 72-67, Garrett Sapp (USA) 70-69, Kim Si-Woo (KOR) 69-70

140 – Park Jun-Won (KOR) 70-70, Joo Heung-Chol (KOR) 72-68, Nam Young-Woo (KOR) 70-70

141 – Ashley Hall (AUS) 71-70, Kim Meen-Whee (KOR) 73-68, Suk Jong-Yul (KOR) 71-70, Anthony Brown (AUS) 73-68, Simon Yates (SCO) 71-70, Lee Dong-Min (KOR) 76-65, Yoon Jung-Ho (KOR) 72-69, Chung Joon (KOR) 73-68

Agence France-Presse