Siwoo Kim 4 Under Par "Early Bird GO~"... What About World No.1 Rahm?

2021/2022 Season Opening Fortinet Championship Day 1 Tied 10th, Leevi Leads at 7 Under Par, Ram Tied 104th at Even Par

Kim Si-woo is attempting a chip shot on the 18th hole on the first day of the Fortinet Championship. Napa, USA = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "This time's target is the early bird."

Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) has started the new season well. On the 17th (Korean time), at the Silverado Golf Course in Napa, California, USA (par 72, 7,123 yards), he scored 4 under par on the first day of the Fortinet Championship (total prize money $7 million), placing tied for 10th. This tournament is the opening event of the 2021/2022 PGA Tour season, the so-called 'fall series' first stage. Chez Reavie (USA) leads with 7 under par, and Adam Hadwin (Canada) is in a close chase at one stroke behind, tied for 2nd (6 under par, 66 strokes).

Kim Si-woo won the American Express in January, marking his third career victory after a long gap of 3 years and 8 months since The Players Championship, known as the 'fifth major,' in May 2017. He was disappointed after losing in a six-man playoff at the Wyndham Championship in August. On this day, he recorded 7 birdies, 1 bogey, and 1 double bogey. He started well with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 10 and 12, had a bogey on the 14th hole (par 4), but then showcased a streak of 4 consecutive birdies from the 16th hole (par 5) through the first hole of the back nine (par 4).

With a maximum drive of 333 yards and a green hit rate of 66.67%, what stood out most was his 'stingy putting' averaging 1.58 putts per hole. The double bogey on the final 8th hole (par 4) was recovered by an eagle-like birdie on the 9th hole (par 5). He is 3 strokes behind the leader, making the second round even more crucial for Kim Si-woo. In Korea, Kang Sung-hoon (34, CJ Logistics) is performing well, tied for 41st at 2 under par. No Seung-yeol (31) is tied for 104th at even par, and his immediate priority is to avoid the 'cut off' threat.

World No. 1 Jon Rahm is reading the putting line on the 8th hole on the first day of the Fortinet Championship. Napa, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) is also struggling at tied 104th with even par. Most world stars have begun scouting the venue Whistling Straits ahead of next week's intercontinental golf competition, the Ryder Cup, between the USA and Europe, but Rahm has chosen to take a real-game mock test instead. In the 2021 season, he demonstrated tremendous power by finishing in the top 10 fifteen times, including one win, across 22 tournaments. However, this tournament seems to be affected by poor condition, as he missed the pro-am due to stomach pain.