Siwoo Kim "3-Under Par Start"... McIlroy "Masters Warm-Up Was Not Great~"

Balero Tied 18th on First Day of Texas Open, Knox Leads at 7 Under, McIlroy Struggles Tied 72nd at Even Par

Kim Si-woo is teeing off with a volley on the first hole of the Texas Open's first day. San Antonio, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 54 Kim Si-woo (27) made an early surge.

On the 1st (Korean time) at the Valero Texas Open (total prize money $8.6 million), which opened at TPC San Antonio in Texas, USA (par 72, 7,438 yards), he shot 3-under par on the first day to tie for 18th place. Russell Knox (Scotland) leads with 7-under par, followed by Rasmus Højgaard (Denmark) one stroke behind in second place (6-under par 66). Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), the 'top favorite to win,' is struggling at even par, tied for 72nd.

It is interesting that Kim Si-woo unleashed drives up to 325 yards. He combined five birdies and two bogeys with a green hit rate of 77.74% and 'pinpoint iron shots.' He started well with an 11-meter long birdie on the 1st hole (par 4). Although he made his first bogey on the 4th hole (par 4), he regained momentum with consecutive birdies on the 6th and 7th holes, and recovered from a bogey on the 9th hole (par 4) with a birdie on the 11th hole (par 4). He sealed the round with an 'eagle-like birdie' by placing his third shot close to the hole on the 15th hole (par 5). In Korea, No Seung-yul (32) is tied for 30th at 2-under par, while Lee Kyung-hoon (31) and Kang Sung-hoon (35) remain tied for 119th at 3-over par.

Knox swept up seven birdies, including four consecutive birdies from the 12th to 15th holes. His average of 1.64 birdies per hole and 'stingy putting' stood out. He is the player who earned his first PGA Tour win at the 2015 HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championships (WGC) event included in the 2016 season. With J.B. Holmes (USA) withdrawing, Knox entered as a substitute and made big news by becoming the first Scottish player to win a WGC event. This is his chance to reach his third career win after a long gap of 5 years and 8 months since the Travelers Championship in August 2016.

Lori McIlroy is attempting a trouble shot on the 18th hole on the first day of the Texas Open. San Antonio, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Locally, the spotlight is on McIlroy's 'Masters warm-up.' He is preparing to challenge becoming the sixth player in history to achieve the 'Career Grand Slam' at next week's Masters. He has already won the 2011 US Open, the 2012 PGA Championship, and the 2014 Open Championship in succession, with the Masters remaining as the final puzzle. Only five players in golf history have achieved this: Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan (both USA), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods (both USA).

However, McIlroy's 'rollercoaster play' was halted today as he exchanged six birdies for six bogeys amid iron shot struggles. Adjusting his winning shot form is urgent. Defending champion Jordan Spieth and last year's runner-up Charlie Hoffman (both USA) also started their 'rematch' tied at even par, 72nd place. 'Hulk Bryson' DeChambeau (USA) is tied for 89th at 1-over par with one eagle, three birdies, and six bogeys, still appearing to suffer from a wrist injury.

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