K.J. Choi holds the early lead at the Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills. In search of his second win in four starts, the Korean went around bogey free to card a first round six-under-par. He leads by one stroke from a group of four players on five-under, while a further five sit one back on minus four. Darren Clarke sits tied for 25th on one-under while Padraig Harrington sits two back on one-over.
It was a frustrating day for Harrington who couldn’t get his round going. Three birdies for his round were wiped out with shots handed back on the par-3 third and a trip of dropped shots on his back nine saw the Dubliner drop back to T49 after day one. Clarke’s round was a tidier affair with a pair of birdies coming on the par-fours, the fourth and the 12th holes. Just the one dropped shot for Clarke came on the par-3 eighth hole and he sits five back from overnight leader Choi.
Choi came into the week in fifth spot in the Charles Schwab Cup standings and in search of his second victory this season, his first coming at the Senior Open Championship in July. This is his fifth time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions. He is 0-for-4 converting those into victories. The 54-year-old looks to become the fifth multi-time winner of the 2024 season on PGA TOUR Champions. Would join Ernie Els (3), Stephen Ames (3), Richard Bland (2) and Padraig Harrington (2).
Asked to reflect on his first round Choi mused, “Today’s the focus in the fairway and make it. A couple shot miss, but make it. And 15 and 18’s a long bunker shot, one foot inside, good finish with par. Ernie and Cink today’s a very comfortable play. Many time here, so I experienced. Many thing doing well.”
Asked about how comfortable he was on a course he has played many times, You know, every year, different body so different directions or shape. This year I’m all better when I strike the ball. Usually my driving, too much cut it and then little good fade, but this time is a very strike the ball. So that’s why my body’s a little different turn and the different swing and more make it the fairway and more iron shot is more accuracy. That’s why more make it greens and putt, make long putt and short putt. Very happy today.”
Choi will head out for round two with Rod Pampling and Brett Quigley at 6.15pm Irish time while Harrington will kick off his Saturday at 5.30. Clarke has a slightly earlier tee time of 4.25 as he begins his second walk around Warwick Hills.
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