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SCOTTSDALE – South Korea’s Byeong Hun An was feeling generous Monday and asked who among his 4, 696 Twitter followers wanted to come to this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, attaching a picture of two week-long passes.
He gave the tickets away via random drawing.
“It’s a good thing to do. Got a couple of tickets left. Better than wasting them, ” An said. “Happy to help someone who can come and support us and watch this nice golf. It’s a good thing to do. Probably do (it) the next couple weeks.”
He’ll probably have more followers by then.
An shot 66 for the second consecutive round Friday at TPC Scottsdale and is tied with Brendan Steele for the overnight lead at 10 under. Ranked No. 47 in the world but by no means a household name, fans may want to get familiar with the 25-year-old as he looks to capture his first PGA Tour win.
An finished second at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans a year ago behind Bryan Stuard, who topped An and Jamie Lovemark in a three-man playoff, and has made the cut in each of his three PGA Tour starts this season.
He’s missed half of the fairways through two rounds this week but has only one bogey in 36 holes.
“Shouldn’t have been a bogey, ” An said of his lone blemish on the par-3 7th hole Friday. “A three-putt from 15 feet. Wasn’t easy. Would have been nice to have a bogey-free two days. I think my short game is pretty good this week. We’ll see.”
While the stats don’t show it, An has been satisfied with his driver as well and discusses course management and strategy like a veteran.
“I only hit five fairways (Friday). I thought I had more than that, to be honest, ” An said. “I think I only missed it by just a little bit. Had fairly good lies when I missed it. Missing in the right spot after that, key today and yesterday. Two-putts when you’re in the rough, that’s how you’ve got to play, and then take your chances when you have birdie chances, like par-5 and par-4s.”
This is An’s first year playing in the event and one would think the crowd size and sheer noise could be startling for a newcomer. So far, so good for An, who is making some noise of his own this week and brought two fans along for the show.
“I look forward to playing those holes, 16, 17, 18. Great finishing holes, ” An said. “It’s really fun. Definitely nervous on the (16th) tee, but I think I hit two great shots yesterday and today and hopefully another two more greens the next two days.”
Source: golfweek.com
