Tank Choi In Hunt at PGA Sony Open
The tank-like Choi Kyung-ju (Nike Golf) has turned on his engine early this season.
Choi Kyung-ju embellished the PGA Tour opening game (Mercedes-Bents Championship) last week with a top 10 (joint 8th) record and made a strong start toward victory in the games he participated in for two weeks straight.
In the first round of the Sony Open held in Waialeale (par 70), Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 12, Choi Kyung-ju recorded one eagle and four birdies with flawless shots. Sole leader Luke Donald (England, 7-under 63) led Choi by one stroke and the Champion of the Open Game Vijay Singh stayed 79th (1-over 71).
In the meanwhile Michelle Wie (Nike Golf) who was invited to participate for the 4th consecutive year is facing another bottom cut off ranking 143 out of 144 players (8 over 78).
Due to the strong winds with an average speed of 22km/h, Choi Kyung-jus hit rate rose only up to 50% but his green hit rate recorded 83% with his accurate iron shots. Choi put himself at the top section of the leader board swiftly when he caught his third birdie at the 8th hole (par 3) and when his 14m eagle putt made it straight to the hole cup in the 9th hole (par 5).
He seemed to tumble with dissatisfying pars but faced the second round in a good mood by adding a birdie in the final 18th hole (par5).
Michelle Wie recorded 2 birdies, 6 bogies and 2 double bogies hitting 8-over 78. This record resembles that of the first round in the last years game (79 strokes). Now Michelle Wie faces the risk that she can fail out as the bottom as she did in the Omega European Masters, the U.S. PGA Tour 84 Lumber Classic, and the Casio World Open of Japan Professional Golf Tour last year.
Many galleries formed around Michelle but there were no cheering or applause. The concern about Michelle in this games is not whether she will make though the cut but whether shell give up or not, the AP wrote.
ysahn@donga.com
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