SEOUL (AFP) -- Local heroes Kyung-Tae Kim and Bae Sang-moon found it tough to live up to the weight of expectation at their home tournament during the first round of the Ballantine’s Championship on Thursday.
Bae, the highest ranked Korean in the field at world number 32, was five-over par after 11 holes before battling back in gusts at up to 45kph, to finish at three-over 75 at the mountain setting of Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul.
Bae Sang-moon takes a part in the first round of the Ballantine’s Championship at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon on Thursday. (Yonhap News)
“From the very first hole things did not go well,” Bae said, referring to his double bogey six at the 10th, his first hole.
“I was quite worried because the winds were so strong. But I didn’t want to not make it through the cut. I don’t think you should give up,” he added.
Kim, the world number 48, also struggled early on but finished on one-under 71, three shots back from the morning clubhouse leaders.
“I’m overall satisfied with the play and my game today,” he said. “Of course I made a few small mistakes and so lost some shots. I missed a few chances for birdie.
”But considering the very strong winds today, I’m very satisfied with the score that I have.“