South Korean Bae Sang-moon upstaged some of the game’s biggest names by charging into an early one-shot lead in the second round of the Northern Trust Open yesterday.
The cut was projected to fall at one-over 143 with triple Major winner Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Masters champion Bubba Watson set to miss out.
Taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions on another glorious morning of sunshine at Riviera Country Club, the 26-year-old Bae birdied his first four holes on the way to a six-under-par 65 and a nine-under total of 133.
That left him one ahead of little-known American John Merrick, who carded a 66, but several former Major winners and heavyweight players were in hot pursuit.
Luke Donald was just two shots off the pace after returning a 66, with 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (67) and US Open champion Webb Simpson (66) a further stroke back.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia (73), Australian Adam Scott (67) and British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa (68) were among four players tied at four-under 138.
Winning this week will not be easy for Bae, with 12 of the world’s top 20 players heading a strong field. Among them is former world number one Donald, who has recorded three top-six finishes at the venue in the past five years.
Donald totalled only 25 putts and sank monster putts from just off the fringe at the third, from 22 feet, and at the fourth, from 72 feet.
Harrington added a 71 to his opening 77 for six over par, well outside the projected cut of one over par.
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