In-Form Korean Surges Clear at Barassie

Kilmarnock, Scotland: Lee Hyo-song is poised to add another glittering title to her collection of trophies.

After opening The R&A Junior Open with a four-under 68, the 15-year-old Korean returned a second-round 67 at Kilmarnock (Barassie).

Heading into Wednesday’s final round, Lee holds a seemingly unassailable eight-shot lead from Canada’s Shauna Liu and Sofia Essakali of Morocco.

The highest ranked player in the field, girl or boy, at seventh in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Lee has been in brilliant form this year, highlighted by her victory against the professionals in the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup to become the Japan LPGA Tour’s youngest winner.

Out in the opening group at 7:30 am in the second round at Barassie, Lee experienced wetter and windier conditions than the benign weather of the opening day. It didn’t deter her.

She dropped just two shots to go with seven birdies, including at the 313-yard, par-four 10th where she drove the green. That was one of five birdies in a bogey-free inward nine of 30.

Reflecting on her performance, Lee said: “Today the greens were slower and a bit softer, so that helped me a little. I still find the course difficult, but I’m learning more about this type of golf. I’m learning to play lower chip shots because in Korea I play a lot of high chips.”

After 36 holes, Japan’s Anna Iwanaga is fourth on 145 with China’s Ren Yijia and Singaporean Chen Xingtong among those tied for fifth on 146.

Also in the top-10 are Reese Allyson Ng of the Philippines and Thai Prim Prichnakorn, who share ninth spot on 148.

Asia-Pacific players are also giving a good account of themselves in the Boys’ championship,

Going into the concluding round, Indian Kartik Singh and Korean An Seong-hyeon are tied for second place on 142, just one shot off the pace being set by Scotland’s Aidan Lawson.

Fourteen-year-old Singh, India’s highest ranked amateur player at 171st in the WAGR, returned a second successive 71.

Meanwhile, An maintained his title bid with a three-under-par 69 to go with his first-round 73.