Korean KJ Choi set the pace early on the second day of the $2,1-million Johnnie Walker Classic on Friday, racing to a four-shot lead after the morning rounds.
The former powerlifter shot four birdies on the back nine and two on the front to come in at six-under par 66, making him 13-under after two rounds at The Vines Resort and Country Club.
Level at second-place were defending champion Adam Scott and fellow Australian Tony Carolan, both at nine-under after rounds of 71 and 69 respectively.
Scott, the world number 10, started the day at eight-under after he and American Kevin Stadler both ripped up the course with first-round 64s.
But the 25-year-old, struggling to win his first tournament on home soil, could not reproduce the immaculate touch he showed on the first day, shooting two straight bogeys on the back nine.
Choi was in a strong position going into the afternoon rounds, with Stadler appearing the only player placed well enough to have a solid chance of catching him.
Speaking partly through an interpreter he said his putting had been the key to success so far.
”I have been going hole by hole … I don’t play any risky shots, just play it safe and make birdies,” he said.
No Asian player has won the Johnnie Walker event but Choi, the first Korean to win a PGA tour event, said he did not want to get ahead of himself.
”I’m really taking it step by step, it’s still in progress,” he said. ”If I get a chance to win, I will be most honoured to take that position.”
Scott said there was nothing wrong with his game but that he hadn’t made enough putts to push on.
”I made heaps of chances — probably even more than I had shooting 64 yesterday — but hardly made any, and the back-to-back bogeys didn’t help either,” he said.
Among those scheduled to tee off later in the day were South African Retief Goosen, and US Open champion Michael Campbell, both on even par 72.
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie shot a two-under par 70 on the opening day.
Former US Masters champion Fred Couples had started to move up the leader board after an opening 71. He went to equal 13th with a five-under 67 on Friday. – AFP
