The 2025 season was Kobori’s rookie year on the European Tour, and in an Instagram post he said his results had exceeded even his own expectations.
“Not gonna lie, [I] did not expect myself to make it all the way to Tour Championship in my rookie year. Loved the highs and lows and so very grateful for all the people who’ve supported me along the way,” he said.
PGA Tour golfer Ryan Fox was the pick of the Kiwis from the early tee times, putting himself well in the hunt with a four-under 67.
Fox had five birdies and a bogey in his round, showing no signs of rust despite having not played a professional tournament since mid-September.
Fox was among the leaders when his round finished, however Spaniard Sebastian Garcia held the lead at seven-under through 15 holes when play was suspended due to lightning.
Fellow Kiwi Josh Geary sat one shot behind Fox at three-under, also carding an eagle in his three-under round. Geary finished with a two on the par-four 12th before finishing with two birdies in his last four holes.
The trio were among 13 Kiwis in the field for this week’s tournament, looking to become the first New Zealander since Greg Turner in 1999 to win the event.