BAISHAN, 1 July 2016, (HK Golfer News Wire) - Hak shot a 4-under 68 Friday, and Saturday he’ll take a two-stroke lead over a trio of players—Canada’s Justin Shin, China’s Weihuang Wu and South Korea’s Rak Cho.
The 22-year-old Hak, who attended and played golf for one season at Georgia Tech in Atlanta before turning pro, has appeared in two previous PGA TOUR China tournaments this season, tying for 21st at the Lanhai Open and missing the cut last week at the Sunning Estate Nanjing Zhongshan Open. Although this is his first season playing in China, Hak has also played in nine Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada tournaments in 2014 and 2015. He lives in both Hong Kong and outside Orlando, Fla.
Hak built a three-stroke lead after a pair of birdies on Nos. 4 and 5, his 13th and 14th holes of the afternoon. He essentially tapped in on No. 4 and rolled in an eight-foot putt on the next hole. His advantage dropped to two shots after a bogey at the par-3 seventh, and where he would sit on the leaderboard took a bit of a detour after he parred his 17th hole of the day. When rain and lightning descended on White Birch Club, officials cleared the course, with Hak on the green on No. 18 about to finish his round. Following the 1:05 delay, he returned to the finishing hole and made par to officially take the end-of-round lead.
"I was just hoping I wouldn’t have to come back and finish in the morning,” Hak added. “So I’m pretty glad.
"It was a very good, solid round, very under control,” Hak continued. “I have to keep my focus and not get ahead of myself. I have to play my game and make some putts. I think that’s what everybody is trying to do out here, on this tough course.”
Hak also admitted was on the good end of the draw, with the wind laying down for most of his second round. “I feel pretty lucky playing in the afternoon because the wind wasn’t was strong as in the morning. The luck was on my side today."