PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., March 1 (UPI) -- Charlie Wi survived a blustery day on a hard golf course Thursday and became the surprise first-day leader at the Honda Classic.
Wi shot a 5-under 65 over the PGA National Golf Club course for a one-shot lead as the PGA Tour began its Florida swing with most of the sport's top names taking the week off.
The Korean-born Wi has spent most of career on the Asian Tour and he earned his way onto the PGA circuit this season by finishing 16th in the qualifying tournament.
He had a one-shot lead over Bernhard Langer and a two-shot advantage over Robert Allenby, Joe Ogilvie, Marco Dawson and Cliff Kresge.
The group tied for sixth at 2-under-68 included Davis Love III and Padraig Harrington. Defending champion Luke Donald shot a 77 in the high winds.
