Matthew Cheung leads Hong Kong Open at halfway
SCMP · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Matthew Cheung moved to the top of the Link Hong Kong Open leaderboard on Friday after a bogey-free eight-under-par 62 at Hong Kong Golf Club’s composite course, taking him to 14 under overall. Starting the day two shots behind, the Hong Kong golfer opened strongly, reaching four under through five holes and finishing three clear of Caleb Surratt, who also shot 62 to sit second on 11 under. With 36 holes remaining, Cheung is the closest a local player has come to winning the tournament, which also offers places in next year’s Open Championship and Masters
Key Points
- Cheung began Friday two strokes off the lead, then produced a sensational 62 to seize first place at 14 under par overall
- Caleb Surratt matched the day’s low round with a 62, but remained alone in second place, three shots behind on 11 under
- Overnight leaders Anirban Lahiri and Kevin Yuan fell back; Lahiri shot 68 for tied third on 10 under, while Yuan’s 71 left him on seven under
- Cheung’s round stayed bogey-free, and his biggest escape came at the par-4 15th when his drive skipped across the ditch and stayed safe
- Cheung said he would take the weekend shot by shot, drawing confidence from strong support from friends, family and growing crowds at Fanling
Why It Matters
Cheung’s position gives Hong Kong fans a rare homegrown contender deep into the city’s flagship golf event, with local support building around him at Fanling. The stakes extend beyond the trophy because the winner also earns places in next year’s Open Championship and Masters, adding international significance to the final two rounds