New Zealand’s Lee Chang-ki, 27, carded nine birdies to find himself in a tie for second place on the first day of competition.
Lee made two bogeys in the first round of the Honors K-Solago CC Hanjangsang Invitational on the KPGA Tour’s 2023 season at Solago CC in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do on Tuesday, but his nine birdies put him in a tie for second place with Kwon Sung-yeol. The current leader is Hwang Do-yeon with 18 points.
The tournament is being played using a modified stableford system rather than the traditional stroke play format. A double bogey or 바카라사이트 better is worth -3, a bogey is worth -1, a par is worth 0, a birdie is worth 2, an eagle is worth 5, and an albatross is worth a whopping 8 points.
New Zealand’s Lee is making his first appearance on the Korean Tour this season.
He finished tied for 51st at the KPGA Korean Tour QT in November last year and has been on the waiting list this season (seeded No. 151).
It was difficult to qualify for this tournament based on his ranking, but he was able to make a dramatic comeback by finishing first in Monday’s qualifying round.
After his first round, Lee said, “I came into the tournament after qualifying and it feels good to have a good first round. I had a good day with my putts and wedges.”
On his current status as an unseeded player, he said, “I also qualified for the Descente Korea Match Play this year. I didn’t play well in the group stage then. I felt that my putt was not good enough compared to the other players, so I increased my training on my putt. I think it worked,” he laughed.
“When I was nine years old, my family moved to New Zealand and I stayed there and made my professional debut on the Australian Tour. The Australian Tour runs from August to April. I am currently traveling back and forth between Korea and Australia.” “I often participate in the KPGA Srixon Tour qualifiers. Last year, I tried out for the KPGA Korean Tour QT, and I’m pursuing my dream of playing on the Korean stage. My average drive is about 300 yards. His longest shot is an iron shot.” He introduced himself.
“I want to play with eagerness and enjoyment,” Lee said, “and I want to do well in this tournament to earn as many ranking points as possible because the ranking time is not far away. My first goal is to make the cut.” Lee expressed his determination to compete in the tournament.
