SCORESHEET
DAY 2
DAY 1
October 22nd 2011, Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do, Korea: Korea’s Lee Ki-sang used a stunning start to snatch the third round lead from American star Anthony Kim and tournament host K.J. Choi at the inaugural CJ Invitational on Saturday.
The little-known 25-year-old birdied his opening four holes, sank a magical hole-in-one at the fifth and birdied the seventh for an outward 29 at the Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club before settling for an eight-under-par 64 to lead by one shot from Kim.
Overnight leader Kim, a three-time winner in the United States, birdied two of his last three holes for a 68 while local hero Choi ended the day in third place, three off the pace, following a 67 in the US$750,000 event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korean Golf Tour.
A 68 kept Thailand’s Prom Meesawat on the fringe of contention in tied fourth position with Korea’s David Oh.
The 25-year-old Lee, who has one domestic victory, got out of the blocks in sensational style, holing birdie putts from 12, nine, 45 and nine feet before sinking a seven iron for his ace at the par three 186-yard fifth hole.
After turning in seven under, the unheralded leader couldn’t buy a putt until the 17th hole which was still good enough to give him a slender lead into the last round of the CJ Invitational.
“Whenever I hit the ball, it kept going into the hole. I couldn’t believe it. I was doing very well and I just tried to keep my score. I tried to make a new record, maybe a 10-under or something, but my iron play after the turn was not good,” said Lee, who has a three-day total of 15-under-par 201.
He is unperturbed of the pressure of playing alongside the world’s number 14 Choi, an Asian Tour honorary member with eight PGA Tour wins, and Kim. “I will play like how I have done this week. It’s a big burden but I’ll try to overcome this pressure. I’ve never played with K.J. before so I am looking forward to it. K.J. is a hero to all young golfers and professional players. I always watch him play and listen to his interviews. Everyone looks up to him,” said Lee.
Kim, who held an overnight three-shot lead, quickly saw his advantage disappear but fought back with late birdies to stay hot on Lee’s heels. “I thought he was playing a video game. Every time he hit a putt, it looked like it was going in and most of the time it did go in. What a great round. If he keeps it up, he’ll be tough to be,” said the 26-year-old Kim.
“Overall, it was a tough day. It was my worst day of the three. If I can figure it out tomorrow, I’ll be tough to beat. I’ve got to lace up my shoes tomorrow,” he added.
Choi started strongly with an outward 32 and picked up two more birdies on 12 and 13 before a lone bogey on the par three 15th hole dropped him back. But the 41-year-old is relishing a final round charge in his own tournament.
“I’m in a good position,” he said. “Everyone wants to win. Whoever can control their mind the best will win. Every day is a new day and my control is very calm.”
Choi was happy to fight his way into the last group as he and Kim had spoken over dinner earlier in the week that it would be their goal to square off for the CJ Invitational title.
“It’s a fantastic scenario. Everybody will have a good fight. I’m very happy. It’s about the pressure. I’m going to enjoy it tomorrow. I always enjoy playing in the final group. I’ve been in the final group many times on the PGA Tour,” said Choi.
Prom, whose lone victory was in Korea at the 2006 SK Telecom Open when Choi featured in the field, was delighted to keep himself in the hunt with birdies on 16 and 18. “It was good birdies. I’m not too far from the leader but I’m just going to play my own game. I enjoyed playing with K.J. It was amazing as he’s not a long hitter and he has played well in the US,” said Prom, who is five back.
