Andy Sullivan and Kim Yeongsu posted opening 63s to lead the way after the first round of the 2023 ISPS HANDA-CHAMPIONSHIP.
Four-time DP World Tour champion Sullivan fired eight birdies at PGM Ishioka Golf Club on Thursday, with his only blemish a bogey on the seventh.
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South Korean Kim, the KPGA’s 2022 Genesis Point Award winner, produced a flawless first round containing seven birdies to join Sullivan on seven under par, as the DP World Tour hosted its first regular season event in Japan, alongside the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
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Englishman Sullivan started from the tenth tee and made birdies at the 12th, 15th, 16th and 18th to reach the turn in 31.
He then reeled off a hat-trick of birdies from the third before recovering from a bogey on the seventh with a closing gain from around eight feet.
Kim picked up his first birdie of the day at the fourth before catching fire around the turn, as he reeled off six birdies in eight holes from the ninth for a share of the lead.
Swede Alexander Björk, Canada’s Aaron Cockerill and South African Deon Germishuys were one shot behind the leaders in a three-way tie for third.
Home favourites Keita Nakajima, Yosuke Asaji and Ryutaro Nagano were then on five under alongside South African Jacques Kruyswijk, Swede Sebastian Söderberg, Brad Kennedy of Australia, New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier and Marcel Schneider of Germany.
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Player Quotes
Andy Sullivan: Really pleased, just got off to a good start. A lot of right flags out there for me to find – as my playing partner Romain Langasque told me “Every flag out there is a right flag and you fade the ball so it’s perfect for you today.” It was good fun playing with Brendan (Lawlor) and Romain, very relaxed vibe.
Me and my coach have been working on going back to when I was playing my best, around 2015, 16, so we’ve looked at swings from there and almost tried to mimic that. It’s getting close, feel confident with the irons. Driver is still taking a bit of work. On the whole the game is feeling good. It feels a lot more under control again, less of the erratic shots.
Yeongsu Kim: I feel good because I didn’t make any bogeys today. I played in a tournament in Japan in 2012 so this is the first time in about 10 years. I played comfortably, looking at a nice view of a good golf course. Playing in front of many spectators was fun, even in the first round.
My shots were not in good shape at the beginning. However, it seems I putted well, so that helped today’s score. I hope it goes well tomorrow. I will be able to play with less stress because I played well today.
Aaron Cockerill: I made plenty of birdies, hit the ball close, hit a lot of fairways. It was pretty stress-free overall and obviously a great start to the tournament. It was perfect this morning, a nice temperature, very little wind.
The course is in perfect condition. The greens are really good, some of the best we have played all year. If you get it on line it’s probably going in. It was a very nice morning to play golf.
Ryutaro Nagano: Absolutely, yes (I want to play on the DP World Tour). I believe everyone wants it. This tournament has been totally different from those of the last two years. Even on the same golf course, I`m happy and excited. It’s very important.
Japanese players have an advantage at the beginning because the tournament is held in Japan. I believe all players from the DP World Tour will adjust in 2 to 3 days, so the 3rd and 4th rounds will be tough.
