Janne Kaske (Fin) – Second round 66 (-5), Total 136 (-6)

My front nine today was kind of slow. I was hitting it pretty good but didn’t make any putts. I chipped in once for a birdie in the beginning but it was just one of the good things I made on my front nine today. I chipped it in from just off the green, about 20 feet away, on the par-four 12^th.

I made a long putt for birdie on the first hole. It was like a 25-footer. That kind of got things started for me. I went on to make three birdies in-a-row from third. It was kind of just like easy birdies for me. Had a good run there but hit a bad shot on the par-three sixth to drop a shot.

I hit it into the left bunker and had a bad lie where I couldn’t hit a proper shot from there. The turning point was on the next hole seventh. I hit it to the back edge of the green. It’s supposed to be pretty tough every time because you’re above the hole but I made like a 30-footer down the hill there. That was definitely a two-shot swing from there.

I missed out one birdie on the last though. I had the easiest possible chip you can have on that hole but I hit it over the flag and didn’t get that birdie there. That stung because it could have been the easiest birdie I can have the whole day but I let it go.

I drove the ball better today. I didn’t drive the ball as well yesterday. I made bogeys which were results from my errors off the tees. I didn’t hit my irons as well yesterday too. But today, I wasn’t really in danger of making bogeys all day. It was also a little bit easier today. There were less wind in the morning compared to yesterday’s afternoon.

It’s my first time to Korea. It’s been nice and lovely. I think this course suits my game in a way. It’s a ball-striking course. When I am playing well, I hit it pretty straight and off the tee. I am not playing aggressive out there. I just try and take care of the par-fives. That has been my goal. A lot of times, I am not even trying to hit it close to the flags.

I have been playing bad actually, for the past couple of months. I had no expectations coming into this week. I definitely didn’t think I would be leading after two rounds. It’s a pleasant surprise for sure.

If I can just stay stress-free, like how I did today, I should be able to play like this again for the next two rounds. Even if I don’t make as many putts as I did today, I can easily shoot a couple of under-pars, given that I can hit the ball the way I did today. I will take that anytime.

Janne Kaske of Finland

Taehee Lee (Kor) – Second round 69 (-2), Total 136 (-6)

I made some mistakes out there today. But I also made some good saves and was able to make a few birdies out there as well. That helped to make up for my mistakes. The greens are so much faster today and it’s a lot harder, compared to yesterday.

Overall, it was tough to putt today but I didn’t do too bad. It was nice to finish with a birdie on my last hole ninth. I rolled it in from the fringe, about nine yards from the pin. That was the highlight for me.

Phachara Khongwatmai (Tha) – Second round 68 (-3), Total 138 (-4)

I got off to a very good start. Feels good to start from the first hole. The fairway is big and I got lucky there. I played really well on the front nine. But not as good on the back nine. I made a lot of bogeys there but I also made birdies.

Overall, I putted very well today. I think that is why I can play well. No chip-ins or long putts, I just hit it close and made some putts. I hit my irons alright too. Missed some shots out there but it’s easy to make bogeys on this course.

I play well around the greens here. My short game helps, especially on the par-fives. If I miss the greens, I can still make birdies. It feels normal today although it’s my birthday. I don’t feel anything special (laughs).

I just want to stick to my game plan for the next two rounds and keep things the same. Anything can happen on this course.

Sanghyun Park (Kor) – Second round 68 (-3), 140 (-2)

I just play my own game. This is a very tough course. You need to play safe to score on this course. I played really well in my practice rounds but somehow the course was playing really hard for me yesterday. But to come back with a bogey-free 68 today, I am happy.

I will do my best in the next two rounds. I am in the midst of moving my house. It’s pretty near to the Namseoul Country Club. I was staying near the course where I won the local event last year. Hopefully by moving close to Namseoul, I can win it again. (laughs)