Korean star riding momentum from US Open top-3 finish; three-putt bogey on 18 costs him top-10 spot

Kim Ju-hyung tees off on the 13th hole during the first round of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, on Friday. [AFP]
Kim Ju-hyung tees off on the 13th hole during the first round of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, on Friday. [AFP]

Kim Ju-hyung opened the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic, which carries an $8.8 million purse, in a tie for 21st after the first round.

Playing Thursday at TPC Deere Run (par 71) in Silvis, Illinois, Kim carded six birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under-par 67.

He sits four strokes behind co-leaders Lucas Glover and Zac Blair, both of the United States, who shot 8-under-par 63, and one stroke outside the top-10 group.

Kim picked up two strokes on the front nine with consecutive birdies on the par-4 5th and par-4 6th holes. He stuck his approach to within 2.5 meters on No. 5 and to within 1.9 meters on No. 6, showcasing sharp iron play throughout.

On the par-5 10th, his second shot found a bunker, but he responded with a precise bunker shot to within 1.1 meters and converted the birdie. After dropping his first bogey on the par-4 11th, he bounced back with consecutive birdies on the par-4 13th and par-4 14th.

Kim added another birdie on the par-5 17th, but a three-putt bogey on the par-4 18th kept him out of the top 10.

A three-time PGA Tour winner, Kim failed to claim a title in the 2024 season and endured a deep slump last year, finishing outside the top 10 in 25 of 26 starts. He showed signs of a turnaround, however, by finishing sole third at the US Open, which concluded June 22.

Fellow Korean Im Sung-jae posted a bogey-free 3-under-par 68, with three birdies, to sit in a tie for 37th. Noh Seung-yul finished in a tie for 131st after a 3-over-par 74, recording two birdies against five bogeys.

No player ranked in the world's top 10 entered the tournament, with most choosing to rest and prepare for events in Europe beginning next week.

Defending champion Brian Campbell of the United States carded a 1-under-par 70 to tie for 67th.


yjc@heraldcorp.com