Little-known Kim sets pace in China Open

Suzhou: South Korea’s Kim Do-hoon took charge of the China Open in the second round on Friday with a one stroke lead.

Kim carded a steady round of 69 for an 11-under 133 total going into the weekend, his only blemish on day two being a bogey on the par-4 18th. He was ahead of a trio of players tied for second place, including Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who had shared the lead following the opening round. South Korea’s Yang Yong-eun and Briton Jamie Donaldson were also on 10 under. “I was the last Korean to get a spot (in the field),” said unheralded 21-year-old Kim. “So I just wanted to make the cut coming here. But now I’m in the lead I will be aggressive and hope to win.” Thongchai had four birdies and two bogeys for a 70, while Donaldson added a 68 to his first day 66. Yang made the most of the warmer conditions Friday as he enjoyed a hot streak to sink four successive birdies from the 11th to finish on six-under 66. At one stage it seemed as if he could catch or even surpass Kim’s score but an undercooked approach on the short par-4 16th left him short. Erratic irons on the 17th and 18th also lost him ground and he was lucky to make par on both holes. “Yesterday was a bit chilly to say the least and that affected my overall game,” said Yang. “The elements were much friendlier today so I was more aggressive.” Pablo Larrazabal of Spain and Finland’s Mikko Ilonen were a stroke further back in fifth place. Colin Montgomerie restored a little pride in the battle of the Ryder Cup captains. Although American Corey Pavin finished round two tied for eighth place with a total of seven under, his European counterpart closed the gap to make the cut with four-under. Bureau Report