Staff WriterThe opening day of the Genesis Championship delivered exactly what golf fans were hoping for — pure theatre, a few fireworks, and a leaderboard tighter than a drum.
China’s Haotong Li and Korea’s MK Kim each carded six-under-par rounds of 65 to share the early lead at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, setting the pace in what promises to be a nervy finale to the DP World Tour regular season.
Li, ever the streaky shot-maker, set the early tone with a flawless, bogey-free display that had shades of his Qatar form earlier this year, where he lifted his fourth DP World Tour title.
The 29-year-old found himself in total control — driving straight, holing confidently, and managing Woo Jeong Hills’ famously slick greens with the composure of a man who knows what’s at stake.
“Very pleased to finish like this, especially with a couple of up and downs on the last four holes,” said Li. “Those were very important to keep momentum going. The greens are very tricky and fast.
You have to put yourself in the right positions, also off the tee as well. Off the tee, I did well until the last couple of holes. That’s the key for the week.”
It’s been a season of rebuilding for Li, who’s got one eye fixed on dual membership with the PGA TOUR. Only the top ten players on the Race to Dubai Rankings (not otherwise exempt) will earn their U.S. cards, and Li knows every round counts. “I definitely just need to focus on my game.
I know the points list (for PGA TOUR cards) is getting tighter and tighter. I just need to play my game and hopefully there are some good results coming up.”
Joining him at the summit, Korea’s MK Kim did what he does best — grind, smile, and make birdies in bunches. Kim, who already owns two wins at Woo Jeong Hills after his Kolon Korea Open triumphs in 2022 and 2024, looked right at home, rolling in eight birdies despite admitting his ball-striking wasn’t perfect.
“I’m really happy with today. I putted really well. My shots weren’t great but I saved a lot and made a good score,” said Kim, whose short game seemed blessed by the golfing gods. “I holed a bunker shot and made a lot of putts, that’s what went well today.
The course is great. I’ve played here a lot of times, so I’m used to it. The greens are in really good condition, so I can putt well on them. They (the fans) are supporting me a lot and it really cheers me up.”
Just a shot behind, Spain’s Alejandro del Rey sits in solo third after a five-under 66 that featured the kind of confident ball-striking that’s been threatening to show up for weeks.
“It was very nice to get it going quite early in the round,” said del Rey. “It feels like my game is there but scores haven’t been showing up. It’s good to get a round going and get a good score.”
The 26-year-old wasn’t sugar-coating the challenge ahead. “It’s a tricky course, it’s tough. It’s long in the morning because it’s cold for the first tee times, the ball goes nowhere.
You’re hitting very long irons into par threes, so they are playing tough, and there are some tricky par fives. Scoring won’t be super low. It’ll be a tough week to put together four good rounds out there.”
Behind him, a crowded pack at four-under features Laurie Canter, Ewen Ferguson, and Elvis Smylie — all winners on the 2025 Race to Dubai — along with four others chasing hard.
But the real drama at the Genesis Championship isn’t just at the top. With this being the final regular-season event, those hovering around the 115th mark on the rankings are fighting for survival.
Only the top 110 will retain full DP World Tour playing rights for 2026, though with five players counting as ‘in addition’, the current cut-off sits at 115th. Right now, that unlucky number belongs to 2021 Ryder Cup veteran Bernd Wiesberger, who finds himself clinging on after a two-over-par 73.
So, as the sun dips over Woo Jeong Hills and the greens quicken, the Genesis Championship feels like a crossroads — for some, the gateway to glory; for others, a fight just to stay in the game.
And if today’s opening salvos are any indication, we’re in for a weekend that’ll separate the contenders from the wishful thinkers.
