Kim upstages big guns at Hero Honda Indian Open
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Korea's Kim Hyung-sung made it a memorable first visit to the US$1.25 million Hero Honda Indian Open by taking the first round lead with a flawless five-under-par 67 on Thursday.
The 30-year-old, who has struggled with a shoulder injury for most of the year, shot five birdies at the venerable Delhi Golf Club to lead by one from Asian Tour newcomers Namchok Tantipokakul of Thailand and Korea's Baek Seuk-hyun, Australia's Marcus Both and in-form South African Jbe Kruger.
Sanjay Kumar was India's best performer, also with a 68, in what is the joint richest full field Asian Tour event.
The tournament's big guns, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Atwal of India, Sweden's Daniel Chopra and Irish star Paul McGinley failed to take advantage of ideal scoring conditions.
Kapur, who rued a cold putter, and McGinley shot 71s, Atwal, the first Indian winner on the PGA Tour, returned a "rusty" 73 while Chopra, a two-time winner in the US, carded a 74.
A bogey free card ensured that Kim hogged the opening day's limelight at the Hero Honda Indian Open. "It's my first time to India and after today's good score, I think I like this course," smiled Kim, who has three wins in Korea.
"My putting was very good. I holed three long putts from about 10 yards at the 17th, 18th and third holes. It was good to keep the card bogey free. It's a difficult course and your tee shots need to be good."
The powerful Korean was aggressive off the tee, taking his driver out on 10 occasions on a tight course which penalizes errant driving due to its tree-lined fairways. "I finished top of the driving accuracy last year in Japan and second this year," he said.
"When you drive it good here, the second shots are easier."
Namchok, who at 23 is one of many emerging Thai prospects on the Asian Tour, enjoyed a mix day with eight birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey. He is hoping to live up to his name which means "lucky".
"I played well here at the start of the year in the SAIL Open (where he finished joint 12th.) I love the golf course, and that's why I played well again," said the young Thai.
Earlier this year, Namchok learned to become a monk with a group of friends and spending eight days in an Indian monastery, he said, taught him to be patient. "A lot of golfers are hot tempered and become moody when things go wrong," said Namchok. "After the trip to India, I feel calmer and play golf better."
The slightly built Kruger, who has three runner-up finishes this season including at last week's King's Cup in Thailand, nearly pulled out of the Hero Honda Indian Open after learning that his sister suffered a miscarriage earlier in the day.
"This score is dedicated to her (Analize) and her little girl. She had less than a month to go in the pregnancy," said Kruger. "Every shot, I thought about her. Every single shot. I almost went home but my father said just play for them. So if it can be, I want to win this tournament (for them)."
Both, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, birdied three of his last five holes to charge up the leaderboard late in the day. "I just tried to take myself out of the position where you are going to hit big numbers around here. If you keep the ball in play you will never be too far away," said the Australian.
"Recently my form has been really good. I have been working hard and it's starting to work. If you have a look at my results, this does seem to be my time of year. I won the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open this time last year and I defend the title next week."
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