Kim Hongtaek led the way on the opening day of the International Series Japan, shooting an eagle enroute to a fine seven-under-par 64.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Korean leads from compatriot Dong Younghan and Thailand\u2019s Poom Saksansin, who both recorded 65s at the Caledonian Golf Club, in the opening event of the season on The International Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The stakes were high with players trying to get points on the board early on The International Series Rankings, which sees the leading player at the end of the season earn a place on the LIV Golf League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hongtaek, who started on 10, made the most of the easier conditions in the afternoon registering an eagle, six birdies and one bogey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe conditions were a bit better in the afternoon, which helped,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOverall, I played pretty solid and took advantage of all the opportunities out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He made his eagle on the par-five sixth before closing his round with more brilliance by making birdies on eight and nine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Added the 32-year-old: \u201cI think it was my driving that was great today. I was able to hit a lot of fairways, which set up good chances to hit greens in regulation. That really helped me keep things consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt could be tougher with the weather in the morning tomorrow, so the key will be to stay patient and keep hitting fairways. Positioning off the tee will be really important again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has won once before on the Asian Tour, at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in 2024 \u2013 when he beat Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam in a sudden-death play-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is also a four-time champion on the Korean PGA Tour, his most recent being last year\u2019s Busan Open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he is arguably best known for being a star on the golf simulator circuit on Korea’s GTour, which has earned him nickname is King of the Screen. He claimed multiple titles on the hugely popular franchise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Younghan already has the privilege of playing on the LIV Golf League having joined the Korean Golf Club team this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m really enjoying it,\u201d he said about the League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a new environment and everything feels different. The level of competition is very high, with many top-ranked players, so it\u2019s been a great learning experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He finished second here last year, just missing out on his second Asian Tour title. It was back in 2016 that he claimed the Singapore Open, defeating then world number one Jordan Spieth from the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t playing particularly well coming in, but we had good weather today, which helped. I also have good memories on this course, so I just tried to focus on each shot and that allowed me to play well,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was bogey free today with three birdies on each half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Poom\u2019s presence on the leaderboard always represents a threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is a four-time winner on the Asian Tour and despite his lack of length off the tee he is a ferocious competitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Said the Thai: \u201cI was a bit lucky to play in the afternoon with better conditions. My driving was good, and my putting was solid as well. There was a little bit of rain early on, but overall the conditions were manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll spend a bit more time on the putting later to make sure everything stays sharp. Just keep working and stay consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
American John Catlin, the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, is next best placed following a 66, along with China\u2019s Lin Yuxin, winner of this season\u2019s Asian Tour Qualifying School, Japan\u2019s Tatsunori Shogenji, Wang Wei-hsuan from Chinese-Taipei and Korean Yongjun Bae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wooyoung Cho from Korea, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, came in with a disappointing 76.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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