DP World Tour : Genesis Championship Course Tee Times Weather
Haotong Li and MK Kim rose to the top to share the first-round lead after opening 65s at the Genesis Championship at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Chinese star Li has enjoyed a stunning 2025 campaign which saw him claim his fourth DP World Tour title at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in February alongside top-five finishes at the Volvo China Open, Turkish Airlines Open, Soudal Open and the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
He rolled in six birdies in a flawless 65 to set the benchmark in Cheonan, but the home crowd had something to cheer about as Kim birdied the last to become joint leader at -6 after eight gains and two dropped shots.
Spain's Alejandro Del Rey 66, is one shot behind after also birdieing the last to climb to -5 after six birdies and a bogey.
"Very pleased to finish like this, especially with a couple of up and downs on the last four holes," Li said. "Those were very important to keep momentum going.
"The greens are very tricky and fast. You have to put yourself in the right positions, also off the tee as well. Off the tee, I did well until the last couple of holes. That’s the key for the week.
"I definitely just need to focus on my game. I know the points list (for PGA TOUR cards) is getting tighter and tighter. I just need to play my game and hopefully there are some good results coming up.
Kim also made a fast start with an opening birdie from close range and doubled his score with a brilliant hole-out from the third bunker.
The South Korean picked up his third shot at the fifth from ten feet before adding another birdie at the eighth.
"I’m really happy with today," Kim said. "I putted really well. My shots weren’t great, but I saved a lot and made a good score.
"I holed a bunker shot and made a lot of putts, that’s what went well today.
"The course is great. I’ve played here a lot of times, so I’m used to it. The greens are in really good condition, so I can putt well on them.
"They (the fans) are supporting me a lot and it really cheers me up. Three days left. I’ll try my best on each of those days."
Antipodean trio Daniel Hillier 67, Elvis Smylie 67 and David Micheluzzi 67 are one shot further back alongside Frenchman Tom Vaillant 67, English pair Laurie Canter 67 and Joe Dean 67 and Scot Ewen Ferguson 67.
Defending champion Byeong Hun An carded an opening 76 after a triple bogey, four dropped shots and two birdies.
EDIT>>> Bubble boy Canadian Aaron Cockerill made a solid start with some excellent driving and iron play, playing a clean back nine first with 2 birdies, -2 33, then came in with 2 more birdies, 2 bogey's E 36 for T21 -2 69. His projected finish jumps from #117 to #109, every shot is vital this week, making the cut a first priority.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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