Juhyung Kim "Surprising 5-Under Par Spurt"... Siwoo Kim 2-Under Par

PGA Tour 2020/2021 Season Opener Safeway Open Day 1 Tied 11th, Knox Leads at 9 Under Par

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] It's a surprise sprint by the star rookie Kim Joo-hyung (18, CJ Logistics, photo).

On the 11th (Korean time), at the Silverado Golf Course in Napa, California, USA (par 72, 7,166 yards), the opening event of the 2020/2021 PGA Tour season, the Safeway Open (total prize money $6.6 million), Kim posted a 5-under-par on the first day, performing well in a tie for 11th place. Russell Knox (Scotland) surged with a 9-under-par to take the top spot on the leaderboard, while Sam Burns (USA) and three others are chasing closely in a tie for 2nd place, one stroke behind at 8-under-par 64.

Kim Joo-hyung caused a sensation last November by winning the Asian (APGA) Tour Panasonic Open at just 17 years old. Born in Seoul, he moved to China at the age of two, and later lived in the Philippines, Australia, and Thailand. This explains his fluency in various languages including English, Chinese, and Thai. This year, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the APGA Tour was suspended, and he planned to focus on the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA).

In July, he proved his potential by finishing runner-up at the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open, entering as a top-ranked player in the world rankings. It is noteworthy that Kim immediately avenged this by winning the KPGA Gunsan CC Open the following week. At that time, at 18 years and 21 days old, he set a record as the youngest winner on the Korean Tour. He entered the world's 'Top 100' rankings and even received an invitation to the major PGA Championship.

This time, based on his experience at the PGA Championship, he is challenging for a 'Top 10' finish. Kim Joo-hyung said, "I don't want to miss the big league opportunity," and expressed his determination, "I will give it my all." In fact, his chances increased with a stable play of six birdies and one bogey that day. Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), he consecutively picked up birdies at the 14th, 16th, 18th, 1st, and 5th holes in the back nine, and recovered from a bogey at the 7th hole (par 3) with a birdie at the 8th hole (par 4). Above all, his green hit rate of 83.33% and his 'pinpoint iron shots' stood out.

Knox added seven birdies including an eagle at the 5th hole (par 5). He is challenging for his third career win after four years since the Travelers Championship in August 2016. Brandon Steele (USA), who won back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, is watching for an opportunity in 4th place (7-under-par 65). For Korea, Kim Si-woo (25, CJ Logistics) is tied for 59th at 2-under-par, Bae Sang-moon (34) is tied for 81st at 1-under-par, and 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (50, SK Telecom) and Lee Kyung-hoon (29, CJ Logistics) are tied for 128th at 2-over-par.