Song Min-hyuk leads by two strokes after the first round. [Photo=KPGA]
Song Min-hyuk leads by two strokes after the first round. [Photo=KPGA]

Rising star Song Min-hyuk took a two-stroke lead after the first round of the KPGA Tour's Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational.

Song carded a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 at Ferrum Club (par 72, 7,232 yards) in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province on Thursday, making seven birdies without a dropped shot to lead joint second-place finishers Bae Sang-moon and Kim Hong-tak by two strokes.

Song navigated Ferrum Club's notoriously deep rough and demanding greens with precise ball-striking. Starting from the 10th hole, he collected four birdies on his outward nine to build early momentum, then strung together three consecutive birdies from the 17th through the 1st hole before adding two more at the 6th and 8th.

Song won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last year in a playoff and now has a chance to claim his second KPGA Tour title. "It was a perfect day — ball-striking, short game, putting, everything clicked," he said. "That's how I was able to shoot 7 under overall. The most memorable birdie today was at the 13th. My tee shot found the bunker and my second ended up in a tricky patch of rough, but I holed the chip for birdie."

Bae Sang-moon, a two-time PGA Tour winner, also impressed. Bae shot a bogey-free 5-under 67, relying on steady course management and a sharp short game to card five birdies without a dropped shot.

"I'm really happy to finish the first round without a bogey," Bae said after his round. "It was cool in the morning and the greens were receptive, so it was easier to attack even from the rough. There were no crises right to the end. I've been feeling good in practice lately but the results weren't coming, which was frustrating. It was tough, but I kept working and cleared my head — and it seems to have paid off."

Kim Hong-tak also had a strong outing, finishing at 5 under 67 with seven birdies and two bogeys, including four consecutive birdies from the 13th through the 16th hole. "This isn't a course where you can easily make birdies, so keeping the ball in the fairway off the tee will be crucial," Kim said. "The rough will get longer and the greens will firm up, so I think the focus has to be on hitting fairways."

Tournament host Choi Kyung-ju opened in a tie for eighth at 1-under 71, making three birdies against two bogeys. "My goal is to make the cut," Choi said. "About 30 percent of my shots today came out the way I wanted; the other 70 percent I was just trying to make contact. Even so, the score is tracking where I hoped. Completing all 72 holes is the top priority, so I'll keep giving it my best."

All 126 players in the field receive an entry fee subsidy, and meals are provided for players and their families throughout the tournament. Accommodations at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance training center are also available to players on a first-come, first-served basis.


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