Jul 10, 2025, 08:18 PM ET<\/p>\n
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chan Kim<\/a> shot a 9-under 61 on Thursday at Hurstbourne Country Club to take the first-round lead in the ISCO Championship, the opposite-field PGA Tour event also sanctioned by the European tour.<\/p>\n Kim holed out from 123 yards for eagle on the par-4 fourth hole and had seven birdies. He had a four-stroke lead over Callum Shinkwin<\/a> of England, Thomas Rosenmueller<\/a> of Germany and American Peter Malnati<\/a><\/p>\n “The hole-out on 4 definitely kick-started the morning,” Chan said. “I’m really proud of how I played today.”<\/p>\n An eight time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, the 35-year-old Kim is chasing his first PGA Tour title. Born in South Korea, he grew up in Hawaii and played at Arizona State.<\/p>\n “I’ve missed the last six out of seven cuts, so that’s a good feeling to kind of not have to really worry about it.” Kim said. “But, obviously I would love to still play pretty aggressive and see if I can shoot another couple low ones.”<\/p>\n Shinkwin also eagled a par 4, holing out from 107 yards on the 12th.<\/p>\n “I didn’t make any mistakes, which is obviously key,” Shinkwin said. “It’s very easy to lose concentration in the heat.”<\/p>\n The tournament winner will receive a two-year exemption and a trip to the PGA Championship next year but is not in the Masters from winning. No one in the field is in the British Open next week.<\/p>\n Harry Hall<\/a>, the winner in a playoff last year at Keene Trace in Nicholasville, Kentucky, qualified for the British Open and is playing the Scottish Open.<\/p>\n Steven Fisk<\/a>, playing in the final group off the first tee, was five shots back at 66 with Troy Merritt<\/a>, Angel Ayora<\/a>, Cristobal Del Solar<\/a> and Kevin Kisner<\/a>.<\/p>\n Emiliano Grillo<\/a> opened with a 67, four days after losing in a sudden-death playoff to Brian Campbell<\/a> in the John Deere Classic.<\/p>\n Auburn junior Jackson Koivun<\/a> shot 72. He tied for 11th at John Deere.<\/p>\n