MAEKYUNG OPEN RELATED STORIES GS Caltex Maekyung Open home page GS Caltex Maekyung Open Preview Round 1: Liang sets blistering pace with a 64 Round 2: Liang battles to keep one shot lead Round 3: Liang on track for 2nd win of season Round 4: Victory for Kim shows star potential Final Scores & Prize Money 2006 flashback - Suk lifts maiden title About the Nam Seoul Country Club ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Swedes sweep World Cup win Lin & Marksaeng near top 50 HK: Lin wins in 3-way playoff Asian Tour hits landmark 300 in HK Asian Tour releases 2009 schedule Report predicts 30% China golf growth GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Sweden win World Cup Internationals claim Lexus Cup Pampling wins in a playoff Choi wins Skins Game Amateur: EGU allow range finders

Liang battles to hold on to one shot lead

China's Liang Wen-chong battled to a one-under-par 71 to retain his overnight lead at the halfway stage of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on Friday.

After opening his campaign at Nam Seoul Country Club with a sizzling 64, Liang failed to keep his game firing on all cylinders as he swapped four birdies against three bogeys for a two-day total of nine-under-par 135.

Liang is being chased by exciting Korean prospect Kim Kyung-tae, last year's Asian Games double gold medallist, who charged into contention with a fine 66 to lie one stroke behind in the US$600,000 Asian Tour event.

Australian rookie Mitchell Brown added a 73 to his opening 66 to share third place with local stalwarts Shin Yong-jin and Lee Gung-hee on 139, four off the pace while title holder Suk Jong-yul will enter the weekend rounds a massive eights shots back after carding a level par 72.

Liang, second on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, was let down by his ball-striking which led to three dropped shots on the seventh, ninth and 18th holes. He sank birdies on the eighth, 13th, 15th and 17th holes.

"It was a tougher day for me as I didn't drive the ball well and my irons were also off the mark," said Liang, who won the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters in March and later donated his winnings of US$183,330 to the development of China golf.

"To drop three bogeys was disappointing. I wasn't especially happy with the bogey on par five ninth as I thought I hit a good first putt (for birdie). The ball eventually ended up 15 feet away and I ended up with a bogey."

The 28-year-old Liang is relishing at the opportunity to win a second title in three months. With four other top-10s to his name already this season, the in-form Liang knows that victory on Sunday will also enhance his chances of winning the prestigious UBS Order of Merit crown.

"I'm quite comfortable to be in this position. I'm looking forward to the weekend and hope to keep playing well again like how I did on Thursday," said Liang, who is playing in Korea for the first time since 2003.

Kim, 20, is a star in the making. The youngster wrapped up his amateur career in style last December by winning leading Korea to the team gold medal in the Asian Games in Doha as well as lifting individual honours.

He subsequently turned professional after the government exempted him from national service in recognition of his feats and he has made quite an impact in the professional ranks.

In his debut at the star-studded Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket in March, he finished tied 37th and last week won his first title as a professional on the domestic Tour, which he had also won twice previously as an amateur last season.

Now, he's set his sights firmly on a maiden Asian Tour victory after a round that included six birdies and one eagle.

"In the first day, I didn't putt well but today, it worked out so much better. I thought the pins were also in easier spots which helped me shoot a good round," said Kim, who enjoyed an outward 31.

Kim's highlight of the day was an eagle on the par five 16th hole when he brialliantly nailed a four iron approach from 220 yards out to 12 feet. "That was nice," he smiled.

"I'm looking forward to the weekend. It'll be important day tomorrow as you want to get into a good position come Sunday."

Leading second round scores (click here for full leaderboard)

135 - Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 64-71

136 - Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 70-66

139 - Shin Yong-jin (KOR) 70-69, Mitchell Brown (AUS) 66-73, Lee Gun-hee (KOR) 69-70

140 - Kang Kyung-nam (KOR) 73-67

141 - Roy Moon (USA) 72-69, Kim Bi-o [A] (KOR) 72-69, Yoo Jong-gu (KOR) 68-73

142 - Gavin Flint (AUS) 73-69, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-72, Craig Smith (WAL) 73-69

143 - Lee Jin-myung [A] (KOR) 70-73, Lee Seong-ho (KOR) 72-71, Ross Bain (SCO) 69-74, Eddie Lee (NZL) 70-73, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 71-72, Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 71-72, Unho Park (AUS) 74-69, Lee Won-joon (AUS) 76-67, David Oh (USA) 72-71, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 70-73, Richard Lee (NZL) 68-75

144 - Tony Lascuna (PHI) 72-72, Choi Joon-woo (KOR) 71-73, Choi Sang-ho (KOR) 71-73, Scott Hend (AUS) 72-72, Anthony Kang (USA) 75-69, Jeong Yeon-jin [A] (KOR) 72-72, Iain Steel (MAS) 72-72, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-73, Park No-seok (KOR) 72-72

May 4, 2007