01새로운 무대에서도 이어진 디펜딩 챔피언의 기세
디펜딩 챔피언 마이클 김이 대회 장소의 변화라는 변수 속에서도 흔들림 없는 경기력을 과시하며 타이틀 방어를 위한 여정을 기분 좋게 시작했다. 이번 프랑스 오픈은 예년과 다른 코스에서 진행되었으나, 마이클 김은 '꿈의 시작'이라 표현할 만큼 완벽한 라운드를 펼치며 선두 경쟁에 뛰어들었다.
마이클 김은 경기 내내 안정적인 샷과 날카로운 퍼트감을 앞세워 코스를 공략했다. 특히 바뀐 환경에 빠르게 적응하며 큰 위기 없이 타수를 줄여나가는 모습은 작년 우승자의 면모를 다시 한번 확인시켜 주었으며, 현장을 찾은 갤러리들의 찬사를 이끌어내기에 충분했다.
첫날 경기를 마친 마이클 김은 새로운 코스에서의 결과에 대해 높은 만족감을 나타냈다. 그는 작년의 우승 경험이 이번 대회에도 긍정적인 에너지로 작용하고 있다며, 남은 라운드에서도 현재의 흐름을 유지해 대회 2연패라는 대업을 달성하겠다는 강한 의지를 내비쳤다.
02Original (English) — DP World Tour
Defending champion Michael Kim will take a two shot lead into the second round of the FedEx Open de France after opening with a bogey-free 63 around his first trip at Le Golf National.
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The American claimed his maiden DP World Tour crown at this event 12 months ago at Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche as Le Golf National underwent extensive renovations.
In the build up to his defence he admitted that some of the shots over water on the back nine were "Intimidating" but he did not look to be overawed as he made eight birdies and surged to the top of the early leaderboard.
Starting on the back-nine, Kim made back-to-back birdies at 11 and 12, before adding two more at 14 and 15 on his way to an opening nine of 31.
Another birdie at the first followed, and he added further gains at the fifth and sixth before signing off with a final birdie at the par-five ninth.
"Just a dream start," he said afterwards. "All parts of my game were really good, especially my irons and my putting.
"I couldn't have asked for a better start."
Kim also told the press on Wednesday that the course reminded him of the PGA West Stadium Course but after his opening round he was also seeing similarities with TPC Scottsdale, home of the PGA Tour's WM Phoenix Open.
The 33-year-old finished second at that event in 2025 and whether it was the layout or the hospitality of France, he was feeling at home again on the outskirts of Paris.
"This course reminds me of some of the courses I really enjoy playing back home," he said. "Weirdly enough, it reminds me a lot of TPC Scottsdale. It's totally different surroundings, but, you know, you still have to keep the ball in play, there's lots of water hazards, and I've had plenty of success there.
"So I felt comfortable. Maybe it's the food. Maybe it's the wine. I don't know. I might have to start looking for a place here, maybe. We'll see."
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Kim leads a group of seven players tied on six-under-par, including Ryder Cup star Matt Fitzpatrick and multiple DP World Tour winners Kristoffer Reitan, Matteo Manassero and Thriston Lawrence.
Fitzpatrick, who is making his first return to this event since 2018, called it a 'relatively stress-free' bogey-free round on Thursday.
"Yeah, really good day," he said.
"Great start to the week. And relatively stress-free, which is always nice, particularly around this golf course."
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Also in that group are Jason Scrivener, Sam Bairstow, and Italian Gregorio De Leo, who began his round with an impressive birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie run.
Behind them, French duo Matthieu Pavon and Julien Guerrier are part of another seven-way tie on five under, joining Edoardo Molinari, Brandon Stone, Anthony Quayle, Yanhan Zhou and Jeff Winther.
One of the highlights of the day belonged to Frenchman Adrien Saddier, who holed out for eagle on the final hole to join a tightly packed group on four-under in front of home fans and his four-year-old son.
"It's funny because there was perfect wind for me for 7-iron, just slightly breeze into. And Cameron (Smith) was in trouble, (Angel) Ayora was in trouble, and I was far ahead, and said, Okay, guys, I just go.
"It's just a nice feeling, I mean, just to finish the one with the two, the little one just on the side of the green. Just a good moment."
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