KJ Choi, who is having a career year on the PGA Tour, fired a 66 to take a two-shot lead after the second round of the $7-million Barclays Classic tournament on Friday.
The 37-year-old South Korean star shot 64 on Thursday and has now rolled in 12 birdies over the first two rounds to reach 12-under-par 130 at the Westchester Country Club course.
American Rich Beem is second, two shots adrift of Choi. American Steve Stricker, South African Rory Sabbatini and Australian Geoff Ogilvy were tied for third, four strokes back.
Ernie Els, Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia are part of a group of seven who are five shots off the lead.
Choi needed just 54 putts in the first two rounds, including 26 during a superb opening performance.
Choi is in the midst of a breakthrough season thanks to an improved putter, which he paid $49 for after watching a commercial for the club with the unique grip on the Golf Channel two years ago. He has turned that $49 investment into two tour wins this year and millions of dollars in prize money.
”There was something about my game, my putting … something missing,” he said. ”I thought it made sense, so I picked up the phone and I ordered it and it came. ”It did look ridiculously big.”
Choi is involved with two charities in his homeland and is admired on the PGA Tour for giving a sizeable portion of his winnings to help others. He donated one-tenth of the $900 000 he won in Greensboro in 2005 to the Korean Presbyterian Church.
”I think every kid, whether its adolescents, teenagers or young kids, they all need a dream,” Choi said. ”Without a dream, you can’t accomplish anything. As a professional golfer that can be a role model, I’ve always thought: How can I help these kids; how can I help them achieve their dreams?”
Choi plans to establish a foundation in the fall. His agent, Michael Yim, said Choi would like to create something like the Tiger Woods Learning Centre where young South Koreans can live, play and learn the life lessons from the game.
The significance of Choi’s intention was not lost on his fellow pros.
”KJ is a phenomenal guy,” Beem said. ”He’s probably one of the nicest guys on tour.”
Choi, the son a South Korean fishermen, still lives on the island of Wando where he was born. The solidly built athlete was a weightlifter until he was 16 and a teacher suggested he try golf.
”The first shot he ever took, he hit a seven-iron so solid he can’t forget it even now,” Yim said. ”He went back home that day and told his parents that he was going to become a golfer. They knew nothing about golf.”
American Phil Mickelson had to scramble to survive the even-par cut line. Mickelson posted a 70 on Friday after shooting 67 in the first round.
”I would’ve liked to be a little more under par because when KJ gets it going, he’s got the ability to keep going,” Mickelson said.
Fijian-Indian Vijay Singh was one of the most notable names to miss out on the weekend action. The three-time champ here, Singh shot a disappointing 71 on Friday after going four-over par through six holes beginning at No 11.
”I keep saying I’m very, very close,” he said. ”Somehow, I have to fix that.” — Sapa-AFP