Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim and Austria’s Markus Maukner Lead After Day 2 at The JOBC Golf Championship
Posted on 28. Dec, 2011 by alex.markel
in Golf Championship
By: David Mackintosh
In a testing morning breeze Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim took command of the Girls Division, adding a 1-under par 70 to an opening 68. Her 4-under par total at the halfway stage was good for a five stroke over France’s Celine Boutier and Canadian Brooke Henderson.
Kim’s round was exceptional, given she was uncomfortable on the greens. Through an interpreter she explained:
“My putting was not good. I never found my feeling on the practice putting green which meant I went into play without any confidence in my stroke.”
Despite this the 16-year old from Wonju-Si was able to make four birdies. Asked how she would deal with leading the field by such a margin, Kim said that her play so far would give her confidence, adding: “Now I must concentrate on making a fresh start each day, then see what transpires.”
Boutier, 18, held steady with even-par round of two birdies and two bogeys while Henderson, a talented 14-year old from Smith Falls, Ontario who already has plus-2.9 handicap, finished birdie, eagle to leapfrog into contention.
In the Boys Division Austria’s Markus Maukner (68, 68) goes into the final 36-holes with a two stroke advantage after a round the 17-year old said may have been his best-ever start. “I had an incredible first five holes, three under par and in that stretch I also missed three short putts. My iron game was very accurate all day and if my putter had been working who knows how low I might have gone. But that’s golf and of course I’m very satisfied with my position.”
Maukner, the Austrian Boys Stroke Play champion, who hopes one day to become a PGA Tour professional and win a major championship, considers his greatest strength is his ability to think positively on the course and block out negative thoughts. “It would be amazing to win, and of course that is my ambition. Hopefully I can keep playing as I did today and that will give me my chance.”
Chile’s Juan Cerda (68-70, 138, solo 2nd) gave up a splendid opportunity to tie Maukner when he double-bogeyed the 17th. Defending champion Max Rottluff struggled, a 2-over par 73 he blamed entirely on poor putting, although birdies on his final two holes means he is within four shots of the lead.
The 48th edition of the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship features a 103-player field from 35 countries. For complete scores and starting times, please visit www.jrorangebowl.org/golf
