NEW ORLEANS, May 3 (UPI) -- Feeling comfortable in his third year on the PGA Tour, Korean K. J.Choi grabbed his first 36-hole lead on Friday, matching the best round of his career with a 7-under-par 65 at the Compaq Classic.
Choi had an eagle, six birdies and a bogey on another hot, windy day at the English Turn Golf and Country Club, reaching 11-under 133 for a one-shot edge over first-round leader Dan Forsman.
A native from the Korean island of Wando, Choi never has finished better than fourth in 73 PGA Tour starts. But he's found enough similarities in New Orleans to feel at home this week.
Choi also has become familiar with the course, where the wind whips off the Mississippi River, combining with the sun to make the greens lightning fast.
Forsman followed a 65 with a 69. He began and ended his front nine -- the back at English Turn -- with bogeys but sprinkled in five birdies to join Choi in Saturday's final pairing.
Also in contention is South African Tim Clark, who finished a 67 with three birdies in his last four holes to close within two shots of the lead at 9-under 135. He is on tour with a major medical exemption after suffering through a wrist injury last year.
Billy Andrade and Bryce Molder are tied for fourth at 8-under 136, a stroke better than Australian Geoff Ogilvy, Rich Beem and John Rollins. Defending champion and Louisiana native David Toms is in a group of players at 138.
World No. 2 Phil Mickelson shot a 65 and sits six strokes behind Choi at 139.
Choi's 65 was the fourth of his career and first since the Sony Open during the first full-field event of the year. After Friday's round, he credited new shafts on his irons.
Choi changed his shafts to adapt to golf in the United States, where the wind affects play more than in Korea. He made the switch a month ago at the BellSouth Classic.
