Korean American Golfer Leading with Six Birdies

Korean American golfer Anthony Kim (22, Nike Golf) birdied six holes in a row to take the lead at the Crowne Plaza Invitational held at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

On May 25, Kim shot a 7-under 63 with nine birdies and two bogeys in the first round. Ted Purdy (U.S.) is chasing him with a 6-under 64, while 57 players, half of the 114 player field, did not finish the first round due to a thunderstorm.

Kim talked to himself after walking off the 12th green with a bogey and consecutively birdied the 13th and 14th holes. When play resumed after being halted for one hour and 22 minutes due to the bad weather, he made four consecutive birdies.

Kim, who did not make the cut-off with 78 and 83 shots in the first and second rounds of the Players Championship last week, was full of gallantry as a rookie when he said, “I have forgotten about last week.”

As the youngest member of the PGA Tour who is eyeing the Rookie of the Year title by making the top 10 four times this season, Kim shot explosively long drives, 313.5 yards on average, marking a 78 percent driving accuracy and making 25 putts.

Choi Kyung-ju (Nike Golf) shot a 3-under 67, while Na Sang-wook (Cobra Golf) shot a 4-under 66 with five birdies and one bogey.

kjs0123@donga.com