HONOLULU – There is no player in this week’s Sony Open field more acclimated to Waialae Country Club right now than Sang-Moon Bae.
In an effort to escape the cold winter in his native South Korea, Bae first came to Oahu on Dec. 20 to start working on his game. He spent the holidays here, then competed in last week’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions, only to return still prepared for the golf course.
“I had a lot of practice rounds,” he said, “so it was a comfortable round.”
Bae posted a “comfortable” 7-under 63 to grab the early lead in search of his second career PGA Tour victory.
“I played really well today,” said last year’s Byron Nelson Championship winner. “I made a bunch of good putts, actually a lot of putts. I think I hit 16 greens. That’s really good, too.”