What kind of luck is this that the stage has changed to Ujung Hills, the land of glory. Kim Min-kyu, who drove 6 under par from the 1st round
Oct 23, 2025
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Will it be a great luck for Kim Min-kyu to change the venue to Woojeong Hills CC.
Kim Min-kyu made a perfect start in the first round of the Genesis Championship.
In the first round of the Genesis Championship co-hosted by the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) and the DP World Tour at Woojeong Hills CC on the 23rd, Kim Min-kyu recorded six under par with his explosive performance of eight birdies. Co-leader with Li Haotong (China).
Kim Min-kyu, who dominated the KPGA stage last year and is playing in the DP World Tour this season. His performance was not good in his first experience on the stage, and expectations are high whether he will succeed in a complete soft landing through the Genesis Championship.
The Genesis Championship was held at Jack Nicklaus GC in Songdo, Incheon until last year, and the course was changed ahead of this competition. Coincidentally, Kim Min-kyu has won the Korean Open twice at the course. He was the champion in 2022 and last year. It is a very advantageous point compared to foreign players who are unfamiliar with the course. On top of that, some say that the difficulty has become easier because the fairway is wider and the rough is shorter than during the Korean Open.
Next is a Q&A with Kim Min-gyu after the first round.
- They finished the first round tied for the lead. How do you feel about today's game?
▶There was a crisis in the middle, but the short game went well and I don't think I missed it when I got a putt chance. I did a lot of birdies and I think I finished it well overall.
- How was the new course? Have you gained confidence from having 2 wins in UJUNG Hills CC?
▶The course condition was good and the teeing area was newly created, but there was no big difference today because I played at the same stage. It was helpful to have a pin position where I think I'm gaining confidence because I've won the Friendship Hills CC twice and I remember playing in the `Kolon Korea Open.' Green has more zanlai than before. Originally, if it was a large line overall, there were more double breaks. He didn't feel difficult putting because he was in a good green condition.
- Several players also said that setting the course seems easier than 'Kolon Korean Open' difficulty. What's the difference?
▶Even during the practice round, what I felt today was that the fairway width has widened and the rough seems not to be long. I think it's a little easier for players to play than setting up the 'Kolon Korean Open'. (laughs)
- How well do you think Korean players will be able to perform in this competition?
▶ As he was moved from the stadium to the Friendship Hills CC, I think it will work in a good way for all Korean players. As it is a course I have played a lot, I think I will be able to perform well.
- What does your performance personally mean on the DP World Tour? Thoughts on winning DP World Tour and co-hosted competitions?
▶This season, I really spent the season going back and forth between the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour without resting. Since I was young, I went to Europe and started the third part of the tour, and I hope it will come to good results and I don't know when it will be, but I think the prepared person takes the opportunity. I still have three days left and I'm not going to think about winning, but I did well today, so I think I should do my best to concentrate as much as I'm in the lead.
- Do you think putting will be the key to the competition for the championship?
▶Yes, most of the players in the championship shoot enough to make birdies, so I think it will be a battle to see who can put more putts in that situation.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
