YE Yang finishes strong to share Wentworth lead

Omnisports

May 26, 2016 4:24 AM

Three players share the lead on -7 at the BMW PGA Championship after the opening round, Y.E. Yang joining Scott Hend and Joost Luiten.

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Y.E. Yang finished with a flourish on the opening day of the BMW PGA Championship to share the lead with Scott Hend and Joost Luiten at seven-under par.

The South Korean's first round began badly with a bogey at the first, but he quickly recovered with four birdies before the turn to go out in 32.

He picked up another two shots at 12 and 13, but Hend had already pulled one stroke clear.

But as Hend bogeyed 15, Yang finished with another two birdies as both men carded 65s, a score matched by Luiten – who has eight top-15 finishes in 11 events this year – after a birdie of his own at the last.

The trio sit one shot clear of Masters champion Danny Willett, who enjoyed a blemish-free start to the tournament, the 28-year-old taking his score for the last five European Tour rounds to minus 25.

Jaco van Zyl heads a group of three players on five under, while two-time champion Luke Donald enjoyed a return to form as he posted a 68 to lie three back of the leading trio.

"I love getting off to a good start on Thursdays, that seems to be the key for me," he told the European Tour website. "That was a perfect start for me this week.

"I've had a lot of success here and seemed to figure out this course a little better than others since the changes [by Ernie Els in 2009]. The fact that the greens are more undulating now and the bunkers very deep plays to my strengths.

"The last year or two has been tough, I've struggled to gain confidence and feel comfortable but the last couple of months I'm feeling more and more comfortable and it's nice to see some better results. I feel like I am on the upward path."

Defending champion An Byeong-hun had a disappointing day, though, as five bogeys wiped out his impressive start to leave him level par in a tie for 54th.

Omnisports

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