Changwoo Lee Leads at 4 Under Par "Targeting 1st Place GO~"

Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open First Day: Hong Sunsang Tied for Lead, Kim Taehun Tied 21st at 1 Under Par

Lee Chang-woo is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the first day of the Genesis Championship during the Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Lee Chang-woo (27) is off to a fast start.

On the 22nd, at Tamias Golf Course in Jeju City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,982 yards), Lee shot 4-under par on the first day of the KPGA Korean Tour Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open (total prize money 500 million KRW), immediately taking the top spot on the leaderboard. He recently earned his first professional victory after a playoff battle at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational on the 27th of last month. Currently ranked 4th in the Order of Merit, he is further motivated by the prospect of jumping to 1st place with a win at this tournament.

Lee Chang-woo actually gave up his 'The CJ Cup' ticket on the PGA Tour to stay in Korea. On this day, he recorded five birdies and one bogey. He opened his scoring early with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 2 and 4, then swept three consecutive birdies from holes 6 to 8. A disappointing three-putt bogey on the final 18th hole (par 4) was a setback. Lee said, "My shot feel was good, so I played aggressively," adding, "Both multiple wins and the Order of Merit first place are at stake, so this is very important."

Hong Soon-sang (39) joined the co-lead, challenging for his first victory in seven years since the 2013 Solarisdo Pine Beach Open. Seven players, including Choi Jin-ho (36, Hyundai Steel) and Moon Kyung-jun (37), are tied for third place at 3-under par. Kim Tae-hoon (35), ranked 2nd in the Order of Merit, is tied for 21st at 1-under par. Having won the Genesis Championship, the largest prize money event in Korea, on the 11th, Kim leads the money rankings with 471.53 million KRW and is competing with Lee Chang-woo for the Order of Merit this time.