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Griffin digs deep for SK Telecom Open lead

JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 18 - Australian Matt Griffin stayed on course for a second OneAsia title in less than a year with an even par 72 on Saturday that gave him a one-shot lead going into the final round of the SK Telecom Open on Korea's Jeju Island.

After two days of perfect weather, a stiff wind and late afternoon rain played havoc with the field, and only 10 players broke par around the 6,732 metre (7,361 yard) Pinx Golf Club course.

Griffin, a winner of the Charity High1 Resort Open in September, stands 13 under for the tournament -- a stroke clear of Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon, whose 67 was the day's best round.

China's Hu Mu (73) and Koreans Lee Ki-sang (72) and Park Do-kyu (74) shared third place at nine under.

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Record-breaker Gibson eyes Asian stint

JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 18 - Australian record breaker Rhein Gibson would like an extended playing spell in the Asia-Pacific after his first taste of golf on the OneAsia circuit.

Gibson, who hails from New South Wales but has been based in the United States since college, burst into the golf limelight this time last year when he fired a 16-under-par 55 at his home course in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Although three other 55s have been recorded, Gibson's feat is recognised by golfing authorities and the Guinness World Records organisation as the best because it was played over an 18-hole course measuring 6,850 yards (6,264 metres). To be officially considered for the record books, the course must be at least 6,500 yards long.

The other 55s happened on shorter courses or over nine-hole tracks.

 

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Kim chews his way to SK Telecom lead

JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 17 - Unheralded journeyman Kim Chang-yoon fired a course-record 10-under-par 62 on Friday to lead after two rounds of OneAsia's SK Telecom Open at Pinx Golf Club on Korea's Jeju Island.

Kim had 10 birdies around the 6,732 metre (7,361 yard) par-72 course -- remarkably without a single chip-in -- to stand at 14 under for the tournament, a stroke ahead of overnight leader Matt Griffin (67) from Australia.

Another Australian, Jason Norris, posted his second 66 for sole possession of third place, with Korea's Park Do-kyu (66) one more  behind.

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Kang pounces on Jaguar with Jeju ace

JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 16 - American Jason Kang won a top-of-the-range Jaguar car on Thursday with a sweetly-struck five iron that aced the par three 17th during the first round of OneAsia's SK Telecom Open.

Kang didn't even see the ball go in as he was in the second last group out and playing directly into a setting sun at the beautiful Pinx Golf Club, situated on an extinct volcanic plateau on the southern resort island.

"None of us saw it go in," he said of his shot on the 176-metre (193-yard) hole.

"I thought it was a good stroke, it felt good, and I was certain it would be close, but I didn't see it land; too much glare.

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