Kang Sung-hoon "Starts with 1 Under Par"... Niaman Leads with 7 Under Par

2020 PGA Tour First Event Sentry Tournament Round 1 Tied 16th, Thomas Chases from 2nd Place

Kang Sung-hoon is making a bunker shot on the 14th hole on the first day of the Sentry Tournament. Kapalua, Hawaii, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Kang Sung-hoon (32, CJ Logistics) posted a 1-under par on the first day of the 'Champion of Champions' tournament.

On the 3rd (Korean time), at the Plantation Golf Course of Kapalua Resort on Maui Island, Hawaii, USA (par 73, 7,518 yards), the Sentry Tournament (total prize money $6.7 million) opened. This tournament is the first stage of the new year on the PGA Tour. It is interesting that only last year's tour champions can participate. Exactly 34 players compete, with the winner's prize money reaching a whopping $1.34 million (1.56 billion KRW), and there is no cut-off, so even the last place receives $60,000 (70 million KRW).

Kang Sung-hoon secured his ticket as the winner of the AT&T Byron Nelson in May last year, and on this day, he tied for 16th place with five birdies and four bogeys. Although he started shakily with a bogey on the 1st hole (par 4), he gained momentum with consecutive birdies on the 5th and 6th holes. His iron shots wavered, causing consecutive bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes in the back nine, slowing his progress. Fortunately, after exchanging a birdie on the 12th hole (par 4) for a bogey on the 13th hole (par 4), he maintained an under-par score with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes near the end.

Joaquin Niemann (Chile) surged to the lead with a 7-under par by making seven birdies. He is the player who won the Military Tribute in September last year, which is included in the 2020 season. As the first Chilean to join the ranks of PGA Tour champions, he attracted even more spotlight. He is already aiming for his second win of the season. He unleashed long drives up to 390 yards, and above all, his 'needle-like iron shots' stood out, missing the green only once.

World No. 4 Justin Thomas (USA) is chasing in second place, one stroke behind (6-under par, 67 strokes). This is his chance to reclaim the top spot for the first time in three years since 2017. Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler (both USA) are tied for third place (5-under par, 68 strokes), and defending champion Xander Schauffele (USA) is tied for fifth place (4-under par, 69 strokes), challenging to defend his title. 'Number 3' Jon Rahm (Spain) is also tied for fifth place. Dustin Johnson (USA) remained tied for 16th place.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.