Jeong on song

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July 17, 2010

Amateur Jin Jeong claimed a share of third place in The Open this morning – and then headed straight back to bed.

British Amateur champion Jin Jeong has his sights set on winning the 139th Open at St Andrews after moving to within six of the lead.
The Melbourne-based South Korean returned to play the 18th early this morning after play was suspended as darkness fell just before 10pm last night.
He birdied the last for a round of 70 – remarkable considering the way scores suffered in the high winds yesterday – to be six behind second-round leader Louis Oosthuizen.
“I had only four and a half hours’ sleep but I birdied the last so that made me happy,” the first Asian winner of the British Amateur told Press Association Sport.
“I was up at 4.30am and then hit a few balls before teeing off.
“I’m just going to have a sleep and a good rest (before his afternoon third-round tee-time) so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Jeong felt he was fortunate with his scoring yesterday but, having crushed Scotland’s James Byrne 5&4 in last month’s 36-hole final at Muirfield, the 20-year-old obviously has a game for links golf.
“It was tough conditions yesterday but I hit a lot of low shots, most of them I tried to hit really low – even driver,” Jeong added.
“There are quite strong winds in Melbourne and that is why I practise a lot of low shots and bump and run shots and that helps here.
“It worked really well yesterday and somehow I putted really well so that helped.
“It was quite tricky and it was hard to stand still because it was too windy but I thought I was quite lucky.”
Providing he completes his final two rounds Jeong will win the Silver Medal for leading amateur as none of his rivals made the cut.
“My first goal was to take the Silver Medal and it looks like I’ve achieved that,” he said.
“All the pressure has gone so I can enjoy the other two rounds.
“I will try to catch the leader; he’s at 12 under and it is a long way but I’ll try to do my best.”