Andy Sullivan and Kim Yeongsu posted opening 63s to cleared the path after the primary spherical of the 2023 ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan.
Four-time DP World Tour champion Sullivan fired eight birdies at PGM Ishioka Golf Club on Thursday, along with his solely blemish a bogey on the seventh.
South Korean Kim, the KPGA’s 2022 Genesis Point Award winner, produced a flawless first spherical containing seven birdies to hitch Sullivan on seven beneath par.
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SA’s Germishuys in the combination
Swede Alexander Björk, Canada’s Aaron Cockerill and South African Deon Germishuys have been one shot behind the leaders in a three-way tie for third.
Home favourites Keita Nakajima, Yosuke Asaji and Ryutaro Nagano have been then on 5 beneath alongside Jacques Kruyswijk, Sebastian Söderberg, Brad Kennedy, Daniel Hillier and Marcel Schneider.
Sullivan began from the tenth tee and made birdies on the twelfth, fifteenth, sixteenth and 18th to achieve the flip in 31.
He then reeled off a hat-trick of birdies from the third earlier than recovering from a bogey on the seventh with a closing acquire from round eight ft.
Sullivan ‘really pleased’ after day one
The Englishman stated: “Really happy, simply acquired off to begin.
“Loads of proper flags on the market for me to seek out – as my taking part in accomplice Romain Langasque informed me! He was like ‘Every flag out there is a right flag and you fade the ball so it’s excellent for you at present’.
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“It was good enjoyable taking part in with Brendan (Lawlor) and Romain, very relaxed vibe. It was identical to going on the market and taking part in together with your mates, actually.
“Me and my coach have been engaged on going again to after I was taking part in my finest, round 2015, 16, so we’ve checked out swings from there and virtually tried to imitate 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.”
Kim picked up his first birdie of the day on the fourth earlier than catching fireplace across the flip, as he reeled off six birdies in eight holes from the ninth for a share of the lead.
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He stated: “I really feel good as a result of I didn’t make any bogeys at present.
“My pictures weren’t in fine condition in the beginning. However, it appears I putted effectively, in order that helped at present’s rating.
“I hope it goes well tomorrow. I will be able to play with less stress because I played well today.”
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