Kim in the Fast Lane After Ace PGA Tour Debut at Riviera

Los Angeles, United States: After this week, Kim Tae-hoon could officially have a fleet of Genesis vehicles at home.

The South Korean made a big impression on his PGA Tour debut, finishing his opening round at The Genesis Invitational with at two-under 70, good enough to tie for 19th place overall.

Kim’s big moment came on the par-three 16th when he used a seven-iron from 168 yards to land just short of the pin. Two bounces and a short roll later, Kim had a hole-in-one … and a 2021 Genesis G80.

It’s not the first time he has brought home a new Genesis in the last five months.

Last October, Kim won the 2020 Genesis Championship on the Korean Tour, earning him a sponsor’s exemption into this week’s elite field in addition to a GV80, his first Genesis vehicle.

It was his only win of the 2020 season, first victory on the Korean Tour since 2018 and his fourth overall win. The following month, the 36-year-old brought home a GV70 after capturing the Korean Tour’s Order of Merit for the 2020 season.

“The first two cars I got, I gave those to my parents and I have not decided yet on the new one,” Kim said through a translator.

Kim’s debut round on the PGA Tour got off to a fast start, as he opened with a birdie and eagle on holes 10 and 11. After a bogey at 14, Kim recorded his ace on 16 to move to four-under through nine holes.

Kim’s two eagles through the first seven holes made him the fourth player on record (since 1983) to make two eagles on the back nine at the Riviera Country Club in the same round. The others are Scott McCarron (1997), Sergio Garcia (2012) and Phil Mickelson (2017).

That momentum appeared like it might continue as he made the turn, with Kim adding another birdie on the first to move to five-under. It was an impressive start for a player who hasn’t spent much time on the course since the Korean Tour ended in November.

“His first PGA Tour tournament and actually he’s not ready for the tournament because the Korean Tour was ended last year and he didn’t prepare that much,” said Kim’s translator.

Kim’s early momentum disappeared soon after, though, as he shot a combined four-over through the next three holes. But he rallied with a 13-foot birdie at the eighth, pulling him even with 15 others.