2007 Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open - Round 2: Vijay hits the front in Korea

Fijian star Vijay Singh grabbed a three-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open after a steady two-under-par 69 on Friday.

Singh, who is making a return to Korea since his last success in 1995, fired three birdies against a lone dropped shot at the par-71 Woo Jeong Hills Country Club. With a two day total of seven-under-par 135, Singh holds a comfortable lead over Korea’s Kim Sang-ki who shot a similar score alongside compatriot Kim Kyung-tae who was even-par for the day.

American Anthony Kang carded a 68 to lie in joint fourth position alongside Kim Hyung-sung as he posted a 72 for a 139 total in the US$1 million event.

China’s Liang Wen-chong, who leads the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit race, was five strokes behind the leader after his second straight 70 together with defending champion and overnight leader Yang Yong-eun of Korea who endured mixed day with a 75. Kang Kyung-nam and Lee In-woo were also in tied sixth spot after a 73 and 68 respectively.

With a steady pair of hands on the greens, Singh, who has won 31 times on the US PGA Tour, battled gusting winds with opening birdies on the first and second holes before dropping a shot on the ninth hole. He pulled away with a birdie on the 17th hole as he took a step closer to his goal of a second win in Korea.

“I felt good today and I played decent golf. The wind was quite strong out there and the par three holes were difficult. But I managed well and kept the score going, so I am quite pleased with my round,” said Singh, who is ranked 12th in the world.

“I had a decent game with a 25 foot birdie putt on the second hole which was good so I hope to continue my run heading into the weekend,” he added.

With an even par performance that included three birdies against an equal number of bogeys, Kyung-tae believes that his putting will see him close the gap on the Fijian when he tees off in the third round.

“I am three strokes behind Vijay but I feel good and I’m very confident with my game. I hit it close to the pins and was consistent on the greens.

“I’m not tired but I feel a bit of pressure heading into the weekend though. My goal is to win my second Asian Tour event this year and what better way than to do it this week, so I will try my best in the remaining two rounds,” said Kyung-tae, who won his maiden Asian Tour title on home soil in May.

American Kang, with two wins in Asia, rose up the ranks to tied fourth spot thanks to his eagle at the par five 540 yards fifth hole. Kang, who shot a steady 68, will be focused on producing a good result in his aim for a top-60 finish on the UBS Order of Merit by the end of the season.

“I will not think of making a charge for the title yet because I am focused at keeping my card for next year. It is important for me to produce a good result this week and the remaining events to strengthen my position on the rankings,” said Kang, who is presently 50th on the UBS Order of Merit.

After a second straight, China’s Liang, without the presence of his coach Kel Llewellyn for the first time since the start of the second half of the season, was pleased to find consistency in his game as he will strive to make it to the top on Saturday. He shot four birdies against three bogeys.

“I passed my first target which was to make the cut and now that I’m in a good position, I will work to my next goal which is to win,” said Liang.

With a 142 total, Scotsman Simon Yates was even-par for the second straight day in joint 10th place while a stroke back was Singapore’s Mardan Mamat who improved with a 70 in a tie for 14th position.

Leading second round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

135 - Vijay Singh (FIJ) 66-69

138 - Kim Sang-ki (KOR) 69-69, Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 67-71

139 - Kim Hyung-sung (KOR) 67-72, Anthony Kang (USA) 71-68

140 - Lee In-woo (KOR) 72-68, Yang Yong-eun (KOR) 65-75, Kang Kyung-nam (KOR) 67-73, Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 70-70

142 - David Oh (USA) 67-75, Kang Wook-soon (KOR) 72-70, Simon Yates (SCO) 71-71, Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 71-71

143 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 73-70, Yoon Hyung-uk (KOR) 72-71, Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 72-71, Hwang In-choon (KOR) 72-71, Kim Chang-yoon (KOR) 71-72, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 71-72

144 - Lee Sung (KOR) 69-75, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 70-74, Kim Jong-myung (KOR) 72-72, Jason Knutzon (USA) 72-72, Park Do-kyu (KOR) 70-74, Marcus Both (AUS) 70-74, Kim Dae-sub (KOR) 71-73, Jeon Yun-cheol [A] (KOR) 71-73, Kim Wi-joong (KOR) 69-75

October 5, 2007

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