Lee heads the pack at Asian Tour International Series Morocco as LIV Golf’s Vincent and Koepka lurk

By Matt Smith
Richard T Lee became the latest unlikely leader at the halfway stage of the Asian Tour International Series Morocco after a stunning eight-under round to take a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.

Following Cole Madey taking the Day 1 lead on only his third Asian Tour start, it was the Canadian Lee’s turn in the spotlight as he followed up his one-under first round 72 with a 65 to reach nine-under as Madey faded with a 76. Lee’s last win on the Asian Tour came in 2017.

Lee has some rich company going into moving day, though, as Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong stayed in touch with a one-under 72 to reach seven-under and solo second, Australian Scott Hend is only three back and LIV golfers Scott Vincent and Chase Koepka, brother of four-time major-winner Brooks, are lurking just behind.

Zimbabwe’s Vincent shot a 71 to reach five-under — one behind new LIV golf’s new pro David Puig and Hend — and is in a tie for fifth, while Koepka it T9 on four-under, just ahead of Sadom Kaewkanjana, Suradit Yongcharoenchai and Madey.

The Red Course provided a stern test, but Lee rose to the challenge making an eagle and six birdies to move to nine-under for the $1.5 million event. He was one of only five players to break 70.

Australian Hend and Spaniard Puig carded 69 and 70 respectively.

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“You just need to hit the fairways out there and that’s key on this course,” said Lee.

He spent four days in Dubai before this week to acclimatise and adjust to the time zone and it paid dividends. He added: “I know a few people that just came in from Korea and from the US as well, and definitely the jetlag is hitting them pretty hard. Yeah, I went to Dubai for three, four days, just practised with a few friends of mine at Emirates Golf Club and the Els Club. It was good practice.”

Vincent is first on the International Series Order of Merit and fifth on the Merit list, having won the International Series England in June, and will no doubt be a threat at the weekend.

“It has been a good two days, I did a lot of things very well,” he said. “Just trying to stay present and engage each and every shot. I had a really good group to play with today. Kiradech (Aphibarnrat) is someone I have looked up to for a very long time. That was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed ourselves out there.

“Weekend approach is the same, same approach, same as what we have been doing, I am just out here each week to get a little bit better. Learn and grow is what we call it. That’s the goal.”