Kim eyes win at S.Korea’s highest course

Home favourite Kim Bi-O is looking to secure his third OneAsia victory of the season when the High1 Resort Open tees off in South Korea’s picturesque Gangwon-do province on Thursday. The field at the one billion won ($900,000) tournament will have to contend with the challenges of playing at an altitude of 1,137 metres, which can make the ball fly 10 per cent further. Kim, 22, is looking to add to victories at the Nanshan China Masters in 2011 and the GS Caltex Maekyung Open and SK Telecom Open in Korea in May, and to consolidate his lead on the Order of Merit. “It is going to be an interesting week because the course is very hilly,” he said, according to a OneAsia press release. “There could be some walking issues for the players if you’re not fit.” South Korea’s highest course is prone to frequent changes in weather, with the front nine falling 300 metres into a valley, and last year’s event was disrupted by low cloud. In winter the clubhouse, situated at the highest point on the course, serves as a ski-lift station as the club turns into a winter snow resort. “The altitude makes a difference, but there are also a lot of holes where the tee position is well above or below the green, so that adds a lot to club selection,” said Australian Kim Felton. Felton, 37, has made just one cut this year but feels he has been doing the work to deserve a good weekend. “Hopefully it will all get together,” he said. “It’s just a few things here and there that I’ve been working on, maybe not playing enough, so I’ve made an effort to play a bit more.”