Jeong weon Ko was pleased after overcoming "brutal conditions" to post a bogey-free first round of 67 before keeping his foot on the gas on Friday to sit in a strong position at the halfway stage of the 2023 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.
Starting his opening round on Thursday afternoon, the Frenchman had to endure the worst of the conditions as Real Club de Golf Sotogrande was battered by strong winds and some rain.
Ko made four birdies and no bogeys in his first 15 holes before play was suspended due to fading light, and added another birdie to his tally on Friday morning to head into the second round on five under par.
The 25-year-old soon returned to the course to start round two and carded five more birdies and one bogey in a 68, joining early clubhouse leader Louis de Jager on nine under.
Ko, who sits 130th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex, said: "To be honest yesterday I thought would be not playable. But the balls were not moving on the greens so that was the only reason why we were playing.
"But that was brutal conditions. Just being able to fight in these conditions, play with no bogeys, that was really nice."
Reflecting on the opening two days, Ko added: "It was tough, a lot of wind. There was a lot of course management, I talked a lot with my caddie.
"I think we've produced some very good shots in the right places. The putting was helping me, the short game was good as well. Really solid round, I think."
