The Open Qualifying Series: Kim makes dream start to title defence in France
Michael Kim made a dream start to his FedEx Open de France title defence with a bogey-free opening round at Le Golf National on Thursday.
The American, who prevailed last year by one shot at nearby Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, carded an eight under par 63 to top the leaderboard by two after day one in the French capital.
Kim, untroubled by a different venue to his prior success, came out firing on the Albatros course, registering four birdies across his first six holes to go out in 31.
The 33-year-old, having opened his round on the tenth tee, continued the momentum around the turn, picking up another shot at the first before adding back-to-back birdies at the par four fifth and sixth.
A closing gain topped off a stellar performance, Kim’s efforts enough to withstand the afternoon wave and set the initial target in the 108th edition of Continental Europe’s oldest national open. "Just a dream start. All parts of my game were really good, especially my irons and my putting. And, yeah, I couldn't have asked for a better start" said Kim.
"This course reminds me of some of the courses I really enjoy playing back home. Weirdly enough, it reminds me a lot of TPC Scottsdale. It's totally different surroundings, but, you know, you still have to keep the ball in play, there's lots of water hazards, and I've had plenty of success there.
So, I felt comfortable. Maybe it's the food. Maybe it's the wine. I don't know. I might have to start looking for a place here, maybe. We'll see.
I played last week at the Biltmore. I thought that was great. I was able to shake some rust off, work on a couple things before the tournament started this week. And, you know, for whatever reason, I was able to keep it going really well today."
World Number Four Matt Fitzpatrick leads a group of seven at six under thanks to a flawless round of his own.
The 2022 U.S. Open Champion, making his sixth appearance at the historic event, managed four birdies on his front nine and collected another two on his way home to post a clean card. "Yeah, really good day" said Fitzpatrick. "Great start to the week. And relatively stress-free, which is always nice, particularly around this golf course.
Last time I played a French Open here, it was six years ago. No, longer. Sorry. Eight years ago. My game is very different from then to now. So I think that comes with higher confidence, higher expectations. So you've just got to try and manage that, I guess.
Yeah, all good, all good (energy levels). This is a bit more relaxed week for me, and no need to get sort of my numbers in. So it just was a better fit for the schedule, basically."
Italian Matteo Manassero matched the Englishman in signing for a 65, the pair later joined by Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan, Australia’s Jason Scrivener, England’s Sam Bairstow, Italy’s Gregorio de Leo and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence in a share of second.
Julien Guerrier and Matthieu Pavon represented proudly on home soil, finishing in another group of seven at five under, while fellow Frenchman Adrien Saddier gave the local fans even more to smile about with a hole-out eagle at the last to sit a further shot back.
Courtesy DP World Tour
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