KIM TAKES CONTROL AT KOLON-HANA
BANK KOREA OPEN WITH A 64

Seoul, October 2: Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim of United States took control in the opening round at the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open after firing a solid seven-under-par 64 on Thursday.
The 23-year-old American blasted eight birdies against a lone dropped shot at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club for a two-stroke lead over the elite field.
Kim Jong-myung of Korea shot a 66 and was in second place while Asian Tour’s Bae Sang-moon, Park Nam-sin and Malaysia’s Ben Leong were in the mix in a tie for third spot after posting matching 67s.
England’s Iain Poulter shot a 69 and was in joint 15th position together with Myanmar’s Zaw Moe.
Leader Kim, with two wins on the US PGA Tour, continued his solid run in Korea nailing birdies in the first three holes. He was five under on the front nine before chalking up three more birdies against one bogey on the way home.
“I am satisfied as I did a lot of good things out there. It was a good day,” said the Californian-born Kim.
“I used my driver on almost every hole. There is hardly any rough here so I am comfortable and I like it. I birdied the final hole which was nice. I am also honoured with the amount of support here and I will try my best for a good showing this week,” he added.
Jong-myung led the local charge thanks to eight birdies against three bogeys to lie in lone second place.
Ryder Cup success story Poulter, who started on the back nine, was five strokes behind the leader. He was two under after 15 holes before dropping a shot on the following 16th hole. He bounced back with a late birdie on the 17th before walking away with a 69.
“I got off to a slow start but picked up the pace at the end of the front nine. I missed a few birdies chances. I played quite steady today and hopefully I can shoot better tomorrow.
“I’m looking to get into a good position on Sunday. If I keep playing it steady like I did today, I will stand a strong chance,” said Poulter, who is a seven-time winner in Europe. He had previously competed at the British Open this year where he finished in second place.
Korea’s Noh Seung-yul and Hur Suk-ho were among those in tied 19th place after recording matching 70s.
Leading round one scores
64 Anthony Kim (USA)
66 Kim Jong-myung (KOR)
67 Park Nam-sin (KOR), Bae Sang-moon (KOR), Ben Leong (MAS), Kim Dae-sub (KOR)
Kim Wi-joong (KOR)
68 Simon Griffiths (ENG), Hong Soon-sang (KOR), Kim Meen-whee [A] (KOR), Rick Kulacz (AUS), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Tony Carolan (AUS), Kang Kyung-nam (KOR)
69 Ian Poulter (ENG), Zaw Moe (MYN), Kim Woo-hyun [A] (KOR), Kang Sung-Hoon (KOR)
70 Jeong Gi-ho (KOR), Noh Seung-yul (KOR), Jung Jae-hoon (KOR), Lien Lu-sen (TPE), Hwang In-choon (KOR), Kim Hyung-tae (KOR), Jason King (AUS), Artemio Murakami (PHI), Wisut Artjanawat (THA), S K Ho (KOR), Rhys Davies (WAL), Song Tae-hoon [A] (KOR), Park Sung-kook (KOR), Jun Tae-hyun (KOR), Kang Kyung-sool (KOR)