According to a press release by Eurosport and PGA, Korea’s K.H. Lee, chasing a first PGA Tour win fired a second consecutive 5-under 66 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open to remain two strokes behind leader Xander Schauffele on Friday.
The 29 year old continued to shine at TPC Scottsdale with his exhilarating iron play and enjoyed a solid finish with four birdies over his closing five holes, including a 30-foot conversion at the 18th hole.
Based in Orlando, Lee hit another 15 greens to lead in the stat category, after finding all 18 greens in regulations in the first round and is now looking forward to becoming the second Korean winner in a month following Si Woo Kim’s victory at The American Express.
Lee who has a 2 day total of 10-under 132 said, “I started my round early and felt a little cold this morning, so I struggled a bit in the first few holes. Overall, I thought I played pretty good and as it got warmer, I managed to make some birdies which helped build my confidence. My putting was pretty good which I am happy about.”
World No. 4 and Four-time PGA Tour Champion Schauffele posted five birdies and an eagle on the par-5, 15th hole for a bogey-free 64 which propelled him into a one-shot lead on 12-under 130 over veteran star Steve Stricker (66) and Keegan Bradley (65).
Lee’s day started off with an opening bogey but he made a comeback with a 21-foot birdie putt on the fourth before dropping an 18 footer on nine to turn in 34. After picking up another birdie on the 10th hole, he gave the shot back at the next before ending the day with birdies on hole Nos. 14, 15, 17 and 18.
After wins at the Korean Open in 2015 and 2016 along with the Japan Golf Tour, Lee is keen to succeed in the U.S. and become only the second Asian champion at the Phoenix Open after Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
“If I keep calm and focus on my game on the weekend, I could get into a higher position on the leaderboard," said Lee.
