Siwoo Kim "Starts with 3 Under Par"... Straka Surprises with 8 Under Par Lead

Tokyo Olympics Men's Golf Day 1 Tied 12th, 'Top Favorite' Morikawa Tied 20th at 2 Under, Im Sungjae at 1 Under

Kim Si-woo is teeing off during the first round of the Tokyo Olympics. Photo by International Golf Federation

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "A 3-under-par start."

Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) finished the first day of the men's golf event at the Tokyo Olympics on the 29th with a 3-under-par at Kasumigaseki Golf Club in Saitama Prefecture, Japan (par 71, 7,447 yards), placing him in a tie for 12th. Jeff Shutraka (Austria) took a surprising lead at 8-under-par, while Jazz Janewatananon (Thailand) started the gold medal competition in second place, one stroke behind at 7-under-par 64. Korea's Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) stood tied for 31st at 1-under-par.

Kim Si-woo recorded four birdies and one bogey. Although he started nervously with a bogey on the first hole (par 4), he regained his shot rhythm with consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11 in the back nine, followed by a birdie on the 14th hole (par 5) and another on the 17th hole (par 4) near the end. His green hit rate of 72.22% and pinpoint iron shots stood out. He proudly noted that he performed well despite the chaotic atmosphere caused by a lightning risk that halted play for over two hours. "I was a bit nervous at the start," he said, adding confidently, "I can do better from tomorrow."

Shutraka swept up eight birdies. Instead of his regular caddie, he brought his twin brother Sam as his caddie, creating off-course buzz. Thomas Pieters (Belgium) and Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) are chasing in a tie for third place at 6-under-par 65. The top favorite to win, Collin Morikawa (USA), recorded three birdies and one bogey, finishing tied for 20th at 2-under-par 69 alongside Rory McIlroy (Ireland) and home course player Hideki Matsuyama (Japan).