Noh Seung-yeol's Momentum "Starts with 4 Under Par"... DeChambeau's Surge with 6 Under Par Run

On the first day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Simpson tied for 25th, 3 strokes behind, Kisner leads, Fowler positioned 11th

No Seung-yeol is practicing putting on the practice green wearing a mask on the first day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit, Michigan, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Reservist' No Seung-yeol (29, Isu Group) is on the rise.

On the 3rd (Korean time), at the Detroit Golf Club (par 72, 7,334 yards) in Detroit, Michigan, USA, during the first day of the PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic (total prize money $7.5 million), he shot 4-under par and tied for 25th place alongside world No. 6 Webb Simpson (USA). Kevin Kisner, Scott Stallings, and Doc Redman share the lead (7-under par 65), while seven players including world No. 10 Bryson DeChambeau (all USA) are tied for 4th place (6-under par 66).

No Seung-yeol showcased flawless play with four birdies and no bogeys. In the front nine, he managed only one birdie at the 7th hole (par 5). However, he sparked a streak of consecutive birdies starting at the 10th hole (par 4) on the back nine, followed by birdies on the 16th and 17th holes. He relied on powerful drives up to 342 yards and a sharp iron shot accuracy of 88.89%. However, his average putts per hole at 1.875 was somewhat disappointing. He is only three strokes behind the co-leaders.

No Seung-yeol is a 'young gun' who rose through the national team ranks, winning the 2008 Asian (APGA) Tour Media China and the 2010 European Tour Maybank Malaysia. After qualifying through Q-School in 2011, he moved to the U.S. in 2012 and won the Zurich Classic in April 2014. He became the fourth Korean PGA Tour champion after K.J. Choi (50, SK Telecom), Yang Yong-eun (48), and Bae Sang-moon (34). He enlisted in November 2017 and was discharged last August.

He struggled early in the season, failing to adapt to tour life. Since his comeback at the American Express in January, he missed the cut in four consecutive tournaments. Fortunately, he regrouped during a three-month 'COVID-19 break' and succeeded. Last week at the Travelers Championship, he finished tied for 11th. Although he missed the 'top 10,' he earned $140,000 (about 170 million KRW). He started smoothly on the first day of this tournament as well, positioning himself to compete for the title.

Bryson DeChambeau is teeing off on the 14th hole on the first day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit, Michigan, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

'Three-time champion' Kisner swept up seven birdies to dominate the top of the leaderboard. 'The Hulk' DeChambeau's strong performance is impressive. He recorded one eagle, eight birdies, and four bogeys. His average driving distance was an outstanding 358.5 yards, with his longest tee shot at 377 yards. He is one stroke behind the leaders, aiming for his first win of the 2020 season and sixth career victory. Ricky Fowler (USA) is tied for 11th (5-under par 67), and Simpson is tied for 25th, eyeing his third win of the season.

Korea's Lee Kyoung-hoon (29) started off tied for 46th (3-under par 69). 'PO ranking No. 3' Im Sung-jae (22) is tied for 68th (2-under par 70) with four birdies and two bogeys. Kim Si-woo (25, both from CJ Logistics) is struggling tied for 87th (1-under par 71). Cameron Champ, who tested positive for COVID-19 but returned after a negative retest, is tied for 46th, world No. 7 Patrick Reed is tied for 68th, and defending champion Nate Lashley (all USA) is tied for 87th.