Kim Juhyung and Johnson "Fresh Start with 5 Under Par"... Manasero Leads with 8 Under Par

Asian Tour Saudi International Day 1 Joint 7th Start, Kim Bi-o and Smith Joint 13th, Schauffele and Mickelson Joint 23rd

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the exciting moment for Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics, photo), the 'No. 1 in Korea.'

On the first day of the Asian Tour 2022/2023 season opener, the PIF Saudi International (total prize money $5 million), held at the Royal Greens Golf Club (par 70, 7,048 yards) in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, on the 3rd (Korean time), Kim posted a 5-under-par and stood tied for 7th place. World No. 5 Dustin Johnson (USA) is also in this group. Matteo Manassero (Italy) is leading by 2 strokes at 8-under-par 62.

The tournament is backed by massive capital from Saudi Arabia. Originally held on the European Tour (now DP World Tour), it moved to the Asian Tour this year. Top-tier players such as Johnson, 'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau, 'Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist' Xander Schauffele, 'Oldest Major Champion' Phil Mickelson (all USA), Cameron Smith (Australia), Paul Casey, Lee Westwood (both England), and Sergio Garcia (Spain) participated after receiving huge appearance fees.

Last season's Asian Tour money leader Kim Joo-hyung recorded 7 birdies and 2 bogeys. Even while playing alongside defending champion Johnson, he did not feel intimidated and played on equal footing. In the first four holes, he exchanged 2 birdies and 2 bogeys without reducing his score, but he gained momentum with birdies on holes 14, 17, and 18. In the back nine, he added 2 more birdies on holes 2 and 7 (both par 4). He missed the fairway and green 4 times each, but his 27 putts were outstanding.

He is 3 strokes behind the leader and has a chance for his third Asian Tour win in three weeks since his victory at the Singapore International on the 16th of last month. Kim Joo-hyung said, "I was very nervous at the beginning, so my performance fluctuated a lot," but added, "I quickly composed myself and played with a relaxed mind afterward," and self-assessed, "I played well." He continued, "Playing with such great players is an incredible experience," and added, "Since I prepared well, I resolved not to be intimidated and to confidently play my shots."

Mateo Manassero cheers after shooting 8 under par on the first day of the Saudi International to finish in the lead. King Abdullah Economic City (Saudi) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

Manassero showed flawless play with 8 birdies and no bogeys. Johnson collected 6 birdies (1 bogey). Smith and Patrick Reed (USA) started tied for 13th place (4-under-par 66), while Schauffele and Mickelson were tied for 23rd place (3-under-par 67). On the other hand, DeChambeau is struggling at tied 85th place (3-over-par 73). For Korea, Kim Bi-o (32, Hoban Construction) is tied for 13th, and Moon Do-yeop (31, DB Insurance) is tied for 32nd place (2-under-par 68).

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