OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS

Korean star K J Choi leads from
Greg Norman at halfway

Korean star K.J. Choi charged into the halfway lead at the Open today to give himself every chance of becoming Asia’s first major winner.
The Asian Tour graduate produced a roaring finish for a three-under-par 67 to lead Australian veteran Greg Norman by one stroke at Royal Birkdale. He is the only player in the field to be in red numbers with his one-under-par 139 total.
“This was probably the best round that I have ever played at the British Open, everything worked the way I wanted to,” said Choi, who made his Open debut at Royal Birkdale in 1998.
“The key thing right now is to maintain my body condition and to try to finish it out. My swing is very good this week … very powerful and simple. I feel good.”
Choi, ranked 11th in the world, began the day with a bogey on the first but showed his class with birdies on the third, 13th, 17th and 18th holes and edge closer to his dream of lifting the coveted Claret Jug.
Asia has been yearning for a major champion since “Mr” Lu Liang-huan of Chinese Taipei came close with a runner-up finish to Lee Trevino at Royal Birkdale in 1971, when Choi was barely a year old.
The Korean cut his professional teeth on the Asian Tour during the 1990s before finding fame on the US PGA Tour with seven wins and is often regarded as the Asian most likely to end Asia’s major drought.
Choi knows that victory on Sunday will be significant for golf in Korea and Asia. “If I win this, it will be tremendous back home in Korea. I know a lot of people are praying for me. I like links courses as when I stand on the tee box, I can see everything. It comes well into my eye,” said Choi.
A bogey on the first hole was quickly erased when Choi birdied the third with a nine iron approach to a foot. He converted a 20-foot birdie putt at the par four 13th hole before finishing in style with two closing birdies.
He two-putted the par five 17th and then rolled in a 25-footer at the last, clenching his
fist in celebration of his first major lead of his career.
Choi’s best outing in a major was third place at the US Masters in 2004 while he was tied eighth in last year’s Open at Carnoustie. He said lessons learnt from those experiences will help in his weekend push for glory.
“Whether it’s windy or not, it doesn’t matter. This course is difficult as it is. I just have to try my best till the end. The key thing is to try my best. I know it sounds ordinary but that is what you can do. In majors, you have to be patient and take it day by day,” said Choi.
He also paid tribute to his long-time caddie Andy Prodger:
“Andy is like my big brother, like an uncle. He makes me feel relaxed and we make a good team. During pressure situations, he’ll say something which will make me laugh, things like that which helps. He knows how to make me feel comfortable on the golf course.”
HALFWAY CUT
A total of 83 players with 36-hole aggregates of nine-over-par 149 or better qualified for the final two rounds.
EX CHAMPS MISS OUT
A total of six former Open champions were among those who missed the cut - Paul Lawrie, Tom Watson, Mark O'Meara, Mark Calcavecchia, Sandy Lyle and John Daly.
AMATEUR MEDAL
Two English amateurs have survived the cut and are contesting the Silver Medal that goes to the leading amateur after 72 holes.
They are 20-year-old Chris Wood from Long Ashton and 19-year-old Thomas Sherreard (Maidstone).
HARRINGTON HOPES RISE
Defending champion Padraig Harrington boosted his hopes with a late eagle and birdie in his second round.