DP World Tour: Tom Kim sets early pace at Cazoo Open de France
- Rob Fleming
- 21 September 2023
Scotland's Ewen Ferguson looked solid at the Cazoo Open de France at Le Golf National, but it was South Korea's Tom Kim who seized the tournament's early lead with an impressive round.
Kim's masterful display on the course saw him card a flawless 64, showcasing his talent. He conquered the challenging conditions presented by rain and wind, particularly for the early starters, to set the bar high for the rest of the field.
Reflecting on his round, Kim commented, "I didn't really expect anything. It played really hard today with the rain. I knew I was playing well, and I just tried to play the round as stress-free as possible." Kim's strategic approach paid off handsomely, as he posted six birdies in the space of seven holes on his way to an exceptional score.
Ferguson, who found himself just two shots behind the leader, also had a memorable start to the tournament. He opened his campaign with an eagle, four birdies, and just a solitary bogey for a score of 66.
Speaking about his mindset on the course, Ferguson humorously stated, "I said to my caddie before I went out, 'I need to keep my mouth shut today' because if you start moaning, you never stop." His determination to stay focused and avoid distractions proved effective as he navigated the tough conditions.
Ferguson added, "I missed a couple of chances on one and two, my 10th and 11th, and almost threw a strop, but chipped in on the third for eagle, which was nice and gave me a little pep in my step that I needed and really picked me up." His resilience and skill were on full display throughout the round, showcasing his ability to adapt to challenging situations.
As the leaderboard began to take shape, Kim found himself atop the standings, while English golfers Matthew Southgate and Richard Mansell joined a four-way tie for second place at six under par.
Kim, currently ranked 18th in the world, revealed that part of his motivation for this week's competition is to prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games, which will take place at the same venue next year. With his confident performance in the early stages of the Cazoo Open de France, Kim is certainly on the right track to achieve his goals.
Meanwhile, Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, the sole representative of Europe's Ryder Cup team at the event, showed promise with a strong start but ultimately finished with a level-par 71.
The stage is set for an exciting tournament at Le Golf National, with Tom Kim leading the way after an exceptional opening round. Golf fans can look forward to witnessing more thrilling action in the days to come.
