MIDEA CHINA CLASSIC RELATED STORIES Midea China Classic home page Midea China Classic Preview Round 1: Lee Sung fires 8 birdies for 1-shot lead Round 2: Thaworn takes the lead in style with 63 Round 3: Eagles carry Yates and Chinarat to top Round 4: Thaworn takes record ninth title Final Scores & Prize Money About the Royal Orchid International Course UBS Order of Merit after the Brunei Open The leading contenders this week Zhang has home advantage at Midea venue New father Steel returns to action at Midea Strong field for Midea China Classic Zhang and Liang sign up for Midea China Classic Midea China Classic joins Asian Tour schedule Details of the Royal Orchid International Course 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

Lee Sung fires eight birdies for one shot lead

Korea’s Lee Sung continued his fine form this season at the Midea China Classic when he fired a seven-under-par 64 for a one-stroke lead on Thursday.

Lee, who is ranked 11th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, smashed in eight birdies against a lone dropped shot to set the pace in the opening round at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club.

After enjoying his maiden triumph at the Bangkok Airways Open in June, Lee was back at the top of the leaderboard in the US$400,000 Asian Tour event with a one stroke lead over S.S.P Chowrasia of India, Edward Michaels of United States, local star Yuan Hao and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant who all shot matching 65s.

The 27-year-old deaf-born Korean, who communicates by lip reading through his brother and caddie Lee Sung-joo, was on the mark thanks to solid driving as he hopes to emulate his winning performance in Koh Samui this week.

“We are playing on a totally different course condition than how it was in Koh Samui. I like it here as the fairways are wide and greens are reachable. I didn’t have to use my driver much in Thailand so I think my accurate shots off the tee today has been the key for me.

“I am happy to lead the way. I am not as nervous as when I was at Koh Samui and I hope to adopt a similar relaxed approach which had brought me success in the past,” said Lee.

India’s Chowrasia is back in the groove thanks to a change in putter and irons as he blasted an eagle at the par five 18th hole coupled with five birdies against a lone bogey.

“I decided to change my putter and irons after the Brunei Open and this week is the first time I’m using my new clubs. It is the right choice as seen today and I am really excited to face the rest of the week,” said Chowrasia, who is ranked 60th on the UBS Order of Merit.

“I want to improve my standings in the second half of the season. I’ve been playing well but I don’t know why I haven’t been in the leading fray of late. I will have to stay patient as I know my time will come. This is a good start for me today and I hope to continue what I’m doing tomorrow,” he added.

After coming in a week earlier to adjust to the playing conditions, highest ranked local player Yuan was pleased with his round of 65.

“I played four rounds last week with my friends. I’m glad I have this opportunity to play with such a strong field from the Asian Tour and this is the most important event for our local players before our season ends next month,” said Yuan.

India’s Rahil Gangjee and 16-year-old professional from Thailand Choengchai Panpumpo were tied in sixth position after a 66 alongside Filipino Mars Pucay, New Zealand duoof Mahal Pearce and Brad Iles, American Jin Park and Chinese Taipei Lin Keng-chi.

“I am really excited to be where I am playing against the big boys of Asia.

“I tend to get a bit nervous but when out on course, I just put my head down and go for it and I’m glad to have a strong day,” said Choengchai, who turned professional last year.

Local hero Liang Wen-chong, the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit leader, was in tied 13th position after a 67 while compatriot Zhang Lian-wei posted a 70 in joint 53rd place.

“I was steady on the back nine. I was driving it on target off the tee but I struggled slightly with my approach shots and putting. I will work hard now as I’m determined to improve on my standings,” said Liang, who shot six birdies against two bogeys.

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

64 - Lee Sung (KOR)

65 - Edward Michaels (USA), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Yuan Hao (CHN), S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND)

66 - Brad Iles (NZL), Lin Keng-chi (TPE), Mahal Pearce (NZL), Jin Park (USA), Rahil Gangjee (IND), Mars Pucay (PHI), Choengchai Punpumpo (THA)

67 - Lin Chien-bing (TPE), Liang Wen-chong (CHN), Panuwat Muenlek (THA), Gary Rusnak (USA), Michael Wright (AUS), Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA), Hendrik Buhrmann (RSA), Bryan Saltus (USA)

68 - Gao Hui (CHN), Simon Yates (SCO), Lin Wen-tang (TPE), Scott Barr (AUS), David Bransdon (AUS), Stephen Scahill (NZL), Ben Leong (MAS), Mitchell Brown (AUS), David Freeman (HKG), David Gleeson (AUS), Hur In-hoi (KOR),Kong Wei-Hai (CHN), Airil Rizman (MAS), Wu Kang-chun (CHN), Chinarat Phadungsil (THA), Gary Simpson (AUS)

September 13, 2007