LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chang Kim shot a 9-under 61 at the Hurstbourne Country Club on Thursday, taking the first round lead at the Isco Championship.
Kim had a hole from 123 yards for the Eagle at the par-4 Fort Hall and had seven birdies. He had four-stroke leads from England’s Callum Sinkwin, Germany’s Thomas Rosenmuller and America’s Peter Marnati.
“The hole-out on the 4 definitely kicked off the morning,” Chan said. “I’m really proud of what I’m playing today.”
Kim, 35, who is eight times the winner of the Japan Golf Tour, is chasing his first PGA Tour title. Born in Korea, he grew up in Hawaii and played for Arizona.
“I missed six of the seven cuts so I feel like I don’t really need to worry about that,” Kim said. “But obviously, I’m still pretty aggressive and want to see if I can shoot another couple’s low one.”
Sinkwin also scored a par 4 by drilling holes from 107 yards on the 12th.
“I didn’t make any mistakes, but that’s obviously important,” Sinkwin said. “It’s very easy to focus on the heat.”
Tournament winners will receive a two-year exemption next year and a trip to the PGA Championship, but will not win at the Masters. There will be no one at the UK opening next week.
Last year, the winner of the playoffs at Keene Race in Nicholasville, Kentucky, Harry Hall is qualified for the British Open and plays the Scotland Open.
Playing in the final group off the first Tee, Stephen Fisk was five shots with Troy Merritt, Angel Ayora, Cristobal del Solar and Kevin Kissner.
Emiliano Grillo opened at 67 four days after losing the sudden death playoff to Brian Campbell in the John Deere Classic.
Auburn’s junior Jackson Kovrung shot a 72. He came in 11th place at John Deere.
JB Holmes, originally from Kentucky, had 74. He plays with sponsor exemptions.