Korean Wi in title hunt on major championship debut

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - So far, so good for South Korean Charlie Wi who has taken his major debut in his stride at this week's U.S. PGA Championship.

Despite contending with the toughest course he has seen, Wi carded a second successive level-par 70 in Friday's second round to remain in contention at Oakland Hills Country Club.

"Playing on the PGA Tour prepared me for this week," a smiling Wi told reporters after ending a breezy morning one stroke off the early pace.

"I've been playing well and it's getting better every week. I know a lot of the guys and it just feels like another PGA Tour event."

Wi, who is in his third season on the PGA Tour, was disappointed not to benefit from the morning conditions after teeing off in the day's first group at the par-four opening hole.

"I thought going out early it was going to be softer on the greens but that wasn't the case," the 36-year-old said after a round including three birdies, one bogey and a double-bogey.

"The wind started whipping when we got out there and the greens were not receptive either."

TOUGH WEEK

An expert skier who also enjoys martial arts, California-based Wi knew he was in for a tough week when he played the daunting South Course for the first time on Tuesday.

"I called home and said: 'This is the hardest course I've ever played'. If I were to play here every day I don't know if I would enjoy it.

"It's a very difficult golf course, no doubt about it. The greens are very undulated, very fast. It really tests your patience and you have to be on it every shot."

Asked whether he would change his game plan for the weekend, he replied: "No, hit fairways, try to hit greens and get up and down for par."

Wi turned professional in late 1995, performed with distinction on the Asian Tour, where he won three times in 2001, and made his European Tour breakthrough with victory at the co-sanctioned 2006 Malaysian Open.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)