Bio moved to seven-under alongside compatriots Dongmin Lee, the first-round leader, and young amateur Minhyuk Song.

Bio has already won this title in 2012, and looked good to repeat the feat thanks to a three-under-par 68, while veteran Dongmin carded a 70 and Song, only 17, an impressive 66.

India’s Viraj Madappa, inspired by a hole in one, shot a 65 to sit a shot back with Korean Jiho Yang, who returned a 67.

The 31-year-old Bio was quickly into his stride thanks to three birdies on the front nine. He made an unexpected double-bogey on the 13th but confidently bounced back with birdies on the next two holes.

“I felt comfortable out there today and it was certainly inspiring to play in front of such big crowds. We haven’t done that in a long time,” he said.

“It’s great to still be playing at the same level I have been this year and put myself into a good position into the weekend.”

Little-known Song is enjoying playing the finest tournament of his young career. And he is loving it.

“I am now tied first,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been given a whole new opportunity,” he added, referring to a herniated disk last year.

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The post Asian Tour: Bio Kim rises to the challenge at Maekyung Open in South Korea appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
South Korean home favourite Dongmin Lee ensured experience counted as he shot a six-under 65 to take command of the Maekyung Open at Namseoul Country Club.

Dongmin holds a one-shot lead over compatriot Hyungjoon Lee, and he drew on the experience of having played this event many times — as the Asian Tour returned to Korea for the first time since 2019.

“I have a lot of experience on this course, so I know exactly where I shouldn’t go and where I should go,” said Dongmin, 36, a two-time winner on the Korean PGA Tour and a professional for 20 years.

“A first-day six-under is great. I hope I can play the rest of the tournament this well. It’s my best score in this course. Namseoul is difficult, but I played aggressively, and things worked out well.”

Hyungjoon added: “I teed up early in the morning on the back nine. There was no wind really until the second [11th] and third [12th] holes. It was easy to make a birdie. I felt confident.

“I had about a three-week break after the season opening tournament and I spent a lot of time practising my putting to get ready for Namseoul. I really wanted to work on my feel and touch. I practised at quite a lot of different venues and came to Namseoul four times.”

Bio Kim, winner of this event in 2012, and Junggon Hwang, a four-time winner in Japan, fired 67s.

Thailand’s Natipong Srithong carded a 68 along with Asian Tour Qualifying School graduates Neil Schietekat from South Africa and Ireland’s Kevin Phelan, as well as India’s Khalin Joshi, Canadian Richard Lee and Koreans Doyeob Mun, Junghwan Lee and Yoon Chung.

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The post Asian Tour: South Korean veteran Dongmin Lee makes experience count at Maekyung Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.