Intro:

Eleven players are tied for the lead after carding four-under-par 68 in the first round of the GS Maekyung Open, part of the Oneasia Tour, in Seoul, South Korea on Thursday (May 10th).

Script:

The opening round of the Maekyung Open got underway at the hilly Namseoul Golf and Country club during perfect conditions in Seoul, South Korea on Thursday. 

Jason Kang played one of the shots of the day - this sublime chip from outside the 16th green curled in superbly and landed in the hole for a birdie. 

Defending champion Kim Kyung-tae of South Korea enjoyed a good spell midway through his outward nine - this birdie on the 16th would complete three birdies in a row for the Korean and move to two-under for the day. 

China's Hu Mu, a vastly improved golfer this season and fifth in the One Asia Order of Merit, rolled in a 15-footer for a birdie on the 13th hole and on four-under 68. 

Veteran Kang Woon-soon surprised himself when he chipped in for a birdie on the 16th hole, arguably the easiest hole of the day. 

The Korean would card a bogey-free 68 and is tied for the lead with ten other players. 

Koichi Kitamura of Japan is one of them, he carded five birdies and one bogey in his round - including back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. 

Australia's rookie Kalem Richardson was one of the early starters on the opening day and the youngster also ended on top of the leaderboard with another round of 68.