Incheon, Korea, September 13: Sanghyun Park’s resplendent form in Korea continues as he carded an opening round six-under-par 65 to take the lead at the KR₩1,200,000,000 (approximately US$1,000,000) 34th Shinhan Donghae Open on Thursday.

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.

Gaganjeet Bhullar of India

Seven golfers trail Park by two shots in second place. The group included 2016 Shinhan Open champion Gaganjeet Bhullar, South African Jbe Kruger and Frenchman Lionel Weber.

2016 Shinhan Donghae Open champion Bhullar 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.

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. The 22-year-old took only 19 putts in his opening round.

Did you know:

• Sanghyun Park has been prolific at Asian Tour events in Korea this year. He won the Maekyung Open and finished second at the Korea Open.
• He hit nine out of 14 fairways, and 14 out of 18 greens in regulation in his opening round.
• He last played at the Shinhan Donghae Open in 2016. That year, he finished tied-26th.
• Gaganjeet Bhullar won his ninth Asian Tour title last month in Fiji.
• He is tied-fourth on the Asian Tour all-time winners list.
• Lionel Weber’s best finish on the Asian Tour this year is tied-21st, posted at the Myanmar Open.
• He is still in the hunt for his maiden Asian Tour title.
• Jbe Kruger is a one-time Asian Tour winner. He posted a victory in India in 2012.
• Kruger was tied-ninth at the 2016 Shinhan Donghae Open, and tied-89th the following year.

Players’ Quotes:

Sanghyun Park (Kor) – First round 65 (-6)

I feel great and the course was difficult. 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.

I played my front nine (holes 10 to 18) better than the back nine, which was puzzling because the front nine is usually more difficult.

I’m playing at home. It is more comfortable for me. Perhaps that is why I’m playing so well in Korea.

The depth of the field in the Asian Tour is strong. As I play with good golfers, I have a different mindset. It’s my home course, I feel like I need to do better. I don’t want to be defeated by anyone.

Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) – First round 67 (-4)

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. The last two holes were really good. Holes eight and nine turned around the day for me.

The only bogey I had was on 15, my fifth hole of the day. I missed the fairway off the tee and I had to lay up. Then I missed the third shot onto the green. The goal this week is to keep the ball in play. You have to be on the fairway in order to attack the flag.

Golf is a like a marathon. It is still too early to discuss a victory. You have to go out there and give 100 per cent every day and hope that your game clicks.

Jbe Kruger (Rsa) – First round 67 (-4)

I did very well today. The only shot I dropped, I three-putted. And it was 25 feet away. The ball striking was good, although I still didn’t putt well. If I keep on giving myself chances, I’m going to make a few.

The course is tight and long. If you are in the rough, sometimes you cannot reach the green. The good thing was that I missed only four fairways.

Like I’ve experienced in my career, you have to take one shot at a time. You have to be in the present instead of thinking too far ahead. That will always be my approach at a tournament.

Lionel Weber (Fra) – First round 67 (-4)

I haven’t played in six weeks, so to start with a score like this will give me a lot of confidence. I had a lot of fun on the course today. I’ve had two hole-outs and only 19 putts; my short game has been good today. That is why I had so much fun. I was saving pars and making birdies from outside the green. My putting was solid, too. I can improve on my ball striking for the next few rounds.

At hole 16, I short-sided myself on the right. I told my caddy, ‘we are going to struggle here’. It was a very tight shot (but he scored a par there). I took the momentum to the next hole, where I chipped in for par. It was fun over the two holes.

During my break, I spent time with my family and I was playing golf for fun. I brought the same mindset to this tournament, and it worked. If I could make top-five this week, I’ll be very happy.

Ends.