Korn Ferry Tour: ‘aggressive approach’ propels China’s Carl Yuan into second, has sights set on maiden win in Bahamas
- A 6-under 66 moves Chinese golfer to within a shot of the lead at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic
- Yuan sacrificed shot at qualifying for PGA Tour last year to represent country at the Olympic Games in Tokyo
A six-under par 66 propelled Carl Yuan into a share for second at the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-opening The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on Tuesday.
The Chinese golfer, who is chasing his first win on the Tour, rattled off three birdies in the opening four holes of the third round at Sandals Emerald Bay, and after giving a shot back at the par-4 fifth, came home in 32, draining birdies in four of the last five holes.
An eight-under 64, took Corey Shaun to the top of the leader board at 10-under for the tournament, a stroke ahead of compatriot Clay Feaglar and Yuan.
“I am satisfied with my score,” said Yuan. “My tee shots and approach shots improved after I spent time at the practice range following yesterday’s round. In the first two rounds, my driver and irons were always going to left.
“My putting is also pretty good and I managed to make several birdies. I still missed a few chances but I guess that happens.”
Yuan cut short his Korn Ferry season last year after the Wichita Open Benefitting KU Wichita Pediatrics in June. The 24-year-old from Dalian sacrificed a shot at qualifying for the PGA Tour so he could to represent his country at the Tokyo Olympics.
Chinese golfer Yuan sacrifices PGA Tour ambitions to fly Olympic flag
When he returned home to train for the Games, he was ranked 27th on the points list, with the top-25 earning PGA Tour cards at the end of the regular season.
After finishing second three times during his career on Tour, victory on Wednesday would make him the second Chinese golfer to win in the Bahamas, with compatriot Marty Zecheng Dou taking the title in 2019.
Yuan, who finished tied 38th at the Olympics, has stuck to his game plan all week, picking the holes where he can attack freely. One shot off the lead, he knows tempo holds the key to victory.
“I feel that I am in good form,” he said. “I had confidence and a good strategy going. I tried to focus and only think about my chosen target and I did well. I played more aggressive today.”
Compatriot Zhang Xinjun, who started the round in a share of third place, slipped out of contention after a disappointing 77 saw him slip back into a tie for 38th.
Shaun missed the course record by one stroke after capping a 5-under 31 on the front nine with birdies on each of the last three holes, and then birdied the par-4 12th and 14th and par-5 18th on the back side.
The 25-year-old’s appearance this week was in doubt because of injury which saw him pull out halfway through the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School last year.
“I had to take about five weeks off, and I was still so sore leading up to this tournament that the day before the official practice round, I couldn’t even go out on the golf course,” Shaun said.
“I just hit some balls and practised a little bit. I was like, ‘if I play nine holes, my back is going to give out’. I don’t know what’s going on right now, but the Aleve or the adrenaline is helping out.”
