Jun 21, 2018: Indian golfers Chikkarangappa S and Khalin Joshi shot one-under-par 70 in the opening round of Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship and lying at T24. Korea’s Heungchol Joo set the early pace by posting an opening six-under-par 65 to grab the first round lead on Thursday.
Korean Amateur Seungtaek Oh showed he can also match up against the professionals by returning with a 66 to take outright second position while American Kevin Na ensured his homecoming got off to a good start when he signed for a 67 to trail Joo by two in equal third place at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Thailand’s Pannakorn Uthaipas also got off to one of his best starts this season when he signed for a 68 to be bunched in tied-seventh place that includes Korea’s K.T. Kim and Sanghyun Park, who recently won on home soil last month.
Joo, who is chasing his fourth win on the Korean Tour and first on the Asian Tour, got off the blocks quickly when he reached the turn in 33 after carding four birdies and one bogey.
He extended his advantage with another birdie on 11 and had a closing eagle on 18 to thank for giving him the outright lead at the KR?1,200,000,000 (approx. US$1,125,000) event.
Oh, who is part of the Korean national team, also showed his potential when he mixed his card with six birdies and two bogeys to stay close to Joo at the Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship which is part of The Open Qualifying Series this year.
Na was delighted his patient approach paid off and believes he can mount a serious challenge as the week progresses.
Asian Tour Release
