Kim Unstoppable: Leads ISCO Championship with 61, 4-Stroke Lead

Chan Kim Leads the ISCO Championship with an Impressive Round of 61

Louisville, Ky. – Chan Kim shone at Hurstbourne Country Club, signing a scorecard of 61 strokes, nine under par, to lead the first round of the ISCO Championship. This PGA Tour event, also sanctioned by the European Tour, saw Kim display exceptional play from the start. The key moment of the day came on the 4th hole, a par 4, where Kim holed out from 123 yards for an eagle. This was followed by seven birdies that consolidated his outstanding performance, establishing a four-stroke lead over his pursuers.

“The hole on the 4th definitely boosted my morning. I’m very proud of how I played today,” Kim declared.

Chan Kim

Kim, winner of eight titles on the Japan Golf Tour, is seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour. The 35-year-old golfer, born in South Korea and raised in Hawaii, where he played at Arizona State University, is looking to break a streak of six missed cuts in seven tournaments.

“I’ve missed the last six out of seven cuts, so it’s a good feeling not to have to worry about that really,” Kim commented. “But obviously, I’d love to keep playing aggressively and see if I can make a couple more low rounds.”

Chan Kim

Callum Shinkwin from England, Thomas Rosenmueller from Germany, and American Peter Malnati are four strokes behind Kim. Shinkwin also achieved an eagle on a par 4, holing out from 107 yards on the 12th hole.

“I didn’t make any mistakes, which is obviously key,” said Shinkwin. “It’s very easy to lose concentration in the heat.”

Callum Shinkwin

The tournament winner will receive a two-year exemption and a spot in next year’s PGA Championship. However, they will not be eligible for the Masters. None of the participants are in next week’s British Open. Harry Hall, winner of the tournament last year at Keene Trace in Nicholasville, Kentucky, qualified for the British Open and is participating in the Scottish Open. Steven Fisk, who played in the final group from the first tee, was five strokes away with a score of 66, along with Troy Merritt, Angel Ayora, Cristobal Del Solar, and Kevin Kisner. Emiliano Grillo started with a 67, four days after losing in a sudden-death playoff against Brian Campbell at the John Deere Classic. Auburn senior Jackson Koivun shot a round of 72. He finished tied for 11th at the John Deere. J.B. Holmes, a Kentucky native, shot a 74. He is playing on a sponsor exemption.