Asian Tour: Kim opens with dominant 64 in Korea Open

10/2/2008

U.S. Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim took an early lead at the Korea Open with a 7-under 64 on Thursday, finishing the opening day two shots ahead of the field.

The Korean-American, one of the sports rising stars, carried on where he left off for the U.S. in Kentucky.

The 23-year-old held a two-shot lead over local Kim Jong-myung (66) in the $1 million Asian Tour event at the Woo Jeung Hills Country Club south of Seoul.

The Californian-born Kim birdied the first three holes on a day in which only 33 of the 132-man field broke par.

Five players were tied for third at 5-under-67.

Ian Poulter, runner-up in the 2008 British Open and Europe's best player at the recent Ryder Cup, shot a 2-under 69 for a share of 15th place.

Leaderboard - Round 1:

1. Anthony Kim                           USA  64  - 7
2. Kim Yong-myung                     KOR  66 - 5
3. Park Nam-sin                          KOR  67 - 4
    Bae Sang-moon                      KOR  67 - 4
    Ben Leong                              MAL  67 - 4
    Kim Dae-sub                          KOR  67 - 4
    Kim Wi-joong                         KOR  67 - 4
8. Simon Griffiths                        ENG  68 - 3
    Hong Soon-sang                     KOR  68 - 3
    Kim Meen-whee                      KOR  68 - 3
    Rick Kulacz                             AUS  68 - 3
    Juvic Pagusan                         PHI  68 - 3
    Tony Carolan                          AUS  68 - 3
    Kang Kyung-nam                    KOR  68 - 3

Source: PGA Tour