Dubai: Korea’s Dongmin Lee took the first round lead with a six under par 65 at the KRW 120 million, 41st GS Caltex Maekyung Open today (Thursday), helped by drawing on the experience of playing in the prestigious event on many occasions.
Dubai-based MG Keyser of South Africa, a former winner of the Mena Tour’s ‘Journey to Jordan’ Order of Merit, shot a two over par round of 73 to lie tied 85th, that included three birdies, but also three bogeys and a double.
Dubai Golden Visa Awardee Shiv Kapur of India, likewise, has a lot to do to be around for the weekend and to make the 36-hole cut, after a round of five over par 76, again with three birdies, but also five bogeys and a triple to lie outside of the top 100.
Tough day
On a tough day for scoring only 40 players from the 144 player field beat the par of 71.
Dongmin Lee’s compatriot Hyungjoon Lee came in with a 66 at Namseoul Country Club, in an event which marks the first time that the Asian Tour has been to Korea since 2019.
“I have a lot of experience on this course, so I know exactly where I shouldn’t go and where I should go,” said 36-year-old Dongmin Lee.
Playing aggressively
“A first day six under par round is great. I hope I can play the rest of the tournament this well. It’s my best score on this course. Namseoul is difficult, but I played aggressively, and things worked out well.”
Dongmin Lee is a two-time winner on the Korean PGA Tour, including last year’s Descente Korea Munsingwear Match Play.
He began his round early in the morning on hole 10 and could be forgiven for starting with a bogey as conditions were very cold before bright sunny weather started to warm things up.
Impressive round
The Korean, a professional for two decades, ended up shooting eight birdies, including on the last three holes and dropped just two shots.
Hyungjoon Lee finished joint second in the Korean PGA Tour’s season opening DB Insurance Life tournament last month and picked up where he left off with an equally impressive round today, which also started on the back nine, made up of six birdies and one bogey.
The 29-year-old completed his 18 month military service in July last year and struggled with his game when transitioning back into normal life.
Korean Bio Kim, winner of this event in 2012 when it was not on the Asian Tour schedule, and fellow Korean, Junggon Hwang, a four-time winner in Japan, fired 67s.
First round scores at the par 71, 7047 yards Namseoul Country Club:
65 — Dongmin Lee (Kor).
66 — Hyungjoon Lee (Kor).
67 — Junggon Hwang (Kor), Bio Kim (Kor).
68 — Neil Schietekat (RSA), Kevin Phelan (Ire), Natipong Srithong (Thai), Doyeob Mun (Kor), Junghwan Lee (Kor), Yoon Chung (USA), Khalin Joshi (Ind), Richard T. Lee (Can).
Other Notables
Tied 85th 73 — Mathiam Keyser (RSA).
Tied 98th 74 — Sihwan Kim (US).
Tied 124th Shiv Kapur (Ind), Charlie Wi (Kor).
