Feb 27, 2020: Korea’s Joohyung Kim continued to underline his growing credentials as he took the opening round lead with a seven-under-par 64 at the 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport on Thursday.
Fresh off earning his Asian Tour card with a tied-17th finish at Qualifying School last week, Australia’s Ben Eccles also showed his good form by signing for a 65 to share second place with compatriots Wade Ormsby and Brad Kennedy.
It was a welcome return to form for Ormsby, who currently leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit. The three-time Asian Tour winner got his season off to a good start with his win in Hong Kong but missed consecutive cuts in his last three events.
Kim, who chose Tom as a suitable first name because he was a fan of the Thomas the Tank Engine television series, won three times on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) to earn his promotion to the Asian Tour in 2019.
He then went on to clinch his breakthrough victory in India last November to become the second youngest professional player to win on the Asian Tour at 17 years and 149 days
Kim started promisingly at the Millbrook Resort with an opening birdie on his par-four first hole before adding two more birdies on holes six and nine under gusty conditions at The Millbrook Resort.
He soared ahead with an eagle-three on 10 before dropping his only shot of the day on 12. The 17-year-old then charged home with another three birdies on 14, 16 and 18 to take a one-shot lead over the Australian trio.
Defending champion Zach Murray of Australia posted an opening 68 at the Millbrook Resort to stay four shots back of Kim in a share of 11th place.
India’s Khalin Joshi and Shiv Kapur shot even par scores in the opening round and lying at T44. Trailing one shot behind, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Viraj Madappa shot one-over par score and lying at T60. Other two Indians in the field Amanraj and Chiragh Kumar shot three-over par scores respectively and lying at 105.
Asian Tour Release
