Home favourite An holds CJ Cup lead

Home favourite Byeong Hun An will take a one-shot lead into the second round of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges. The South Korean was on top form during Friday’s opening round, as he carded an unblemished score of 64 to move a shot clear at the top of the leaderboard on eight-under-par. Chilean Joaquin Niemann is An’s nearest challenger, as he sits a shot behind the leader on seven-under, while former world number one Jason Day is a stroke further back. Day is looking to impress at Jeju Island this week, as he bids to earn a captain’s pick for Ernie Els’ International team at this year’s Presidents Cup. The Australian missed out on an automatic spot on the team, but he is determined to be part of the line-up for the event which is due to take place in Melbourne at the end of the year. “It is certainly disappointing not to make the team on my own merits. But it is a reminder that nothing is given to you in this game,” Day told reporters. “I certainly want to be on the team and believe I can be an asset to the Internationals. Being in my home country certainly gives me an edge and I’ve had some success on the sandbelt (courses) and Royal Melbourne in the past.” A group of five players sit three shots behind leader An on five-under, while defending champion and world number one Brooks Koepka is a further two strokes back, with an eagle at the par-five 18th leaving him very much in contention.