Incheon: Park Sang-Hyun's resplendent form in Korea continues as he carded an opening round six-under-par 65 to take the lead at the US$1,000,000 34th Shinhan Donghae Open yesterday.
Park, who enjoyed a bogey-free round, started impressively from hole 10 and made the turn at 31. He sunk two more birdies before signing his card at the Bear's Best Cheongna Golf Club.
The 35-year-old said that familiarity with the conditions contributed to his success in Korea. He won an Asian Tour event on home soil in May this year, followed by a tournament on the local circuit a month later.
"I'm playing at home. It is more comfortable for me. Perhaps that is why I'm playing so well in Korea," said Park.
"I started very well and did not drop any shot, which was fantastic. The reason why this course is difficult is because of the long rough. I focused on accuracy and putting the ball on the fairway. That was what I did today, which was why I had so many birdies."
Seven golfers trailed Park by two shots in second place. The group included 2016 Shinhan Open champion Gaganjeet Bhullar, South African Jbe Kruger and Frenchman Lionel Weber.
Bhullar, the 2016 champion, had a steady round, having dropped only a single shot the entire day. He struck the ball accurately from tee to green and finished on a high with two consecutive birdies.
"It was a steady round of golf today. I hit 11 fairways and 14 greens in regulation. I gave myself a lot of birdie chances," said Bhullar.
Kruger also had a good ball-striking round, missing only four fairways and three greens in regulation. A bogey on hole eight marred his otherwise flawless scorecard.
Conversely, Weber hit only 50 per cent of the fairways and seven out of 18 greens in regulation. However, he put on short game masterclass enroute to carding a 67, needing only 19 putts in his opening round.
Thitiphun Chuauyprakong was the best Thai in the first round. He shot a three-under 68 to share ninth place with eight other golfers.