1 bogey for 6 birdies.. shoulder to shoulder with McIlroy who chose 5 birdies
▲ Kim Joo-hyung. AP News
Kim Joo-hyung (20) entered the competition for the championship by tying for third on the first day of the CJ Cup (total prize money of $10.5 million) on the PGA Tour.
In the first round of the tournament held at the Congaree Golf Club (par 71, 7655 yards) in Riziland, South Carolina, USA, Kim Joo-hyung took out six birdies and avoided one bogey to shoot a 5-under 66. Joo-Hyung tied Kim for third place with Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), who had just five birdies. He is only one stroke behind joint leaders Gary Woodland and Trey Mullinax (USA).
Kim Joo-hyeong, who became a full member of the PGA Tour by winning the Wyndham Championship in August and won the Schreiners Children’s Open on the 10th, won two six months earlier than Tiger Woods, the ’emperor of golf’, aiming for three wins. If Joo-Hyung Kim steps to the top again, he will be the first player in 93 years since Horton Smith (USA) in 1929 to win three before reaching the age of 21. Smith was the first Masters champion.
Kim Joo-hyung, who played with defending champions McIlroy and Ricky Fowler (USA) on this day, birdied the 4th (par 5) and the 5th hole (par 3) in succession, followed by another birdie on the 9th. hole (par 4) Dropped into the cup to finish the first half. In the second half, his upward trend continued with the 13th hole (par 4) and 16-17 consecutive birdies. The only flaw on the last 18th hole (par 4) was that the tee shot went off the fairway and bogeyed.
After the match, Kim Joo-hyung said, “I wish I had putts twice as much, but the putts were good.” Regarding the match against McIlroy, he said, “I think he can do it easily. He said, “There were times when it was difficult to focus on my game.” McIlroy praised Kim Joo-hyung, saying, “He’s a solid player who uses his strengths well, and he plays consistently and very stable.” He also said, “Kim Joo-hyung was looking for advice on speed training, and he said, ‘I like the way it is now.’ As you get older and get a bit stronger, you’ll find out naturally.”
Seongjae Lim (24) and Siwoo Kim (27) tied for 9th with Victor Hoblan (Norway) with a 4-under 67. Kyung-Hoon Lee (31) tied for 15th with Justin Thomas (USA), who won the tournament twice with a 3-under 68.
By Hong Ji-min, staff reporter
