Kim Joo-hyung (21), who transformed into a ‘Nike Man’, started off vigorously by playing like a candidate for the championship on the first day of the PGA Tour.

In the first round of the PGA Tour Sentry Tournament of Champions held at the Kapalua Plantation Course (par 73) in Maui, Hawaii, USA on the 6th (Korean time), Kim Joo-hyung recorded 8 under par with 2 eagles, 5 birdies and 1 bogey, and scored a solo 4 named above. It is only one stroke behind Yon Ram (Spain), Colin Morikawa, and JJ Spawn (USA), who formed the leading group by hitting 9 under par. 토토

The Sentry Tournament of Champions is a tournament with the character of King of Kings, where only 39 world-class players, including the winner of last season, compete in a shot match. Kim Joo-hyung was the second youngest ever to win two wins on the PGA Tour last year, and was predicted to be a strong candidate for the championship even before the opening. He also signed a contract with Nike, which sponsors the world’s best athletes, ahead of the tournament.

Kim Joo-hyung participated in the official tournament that day wearing a Nike cap and golf wear for the first time. Just like Nike’s slogan ‘Just Do It’, Kim Joo-hyung recorded a bogey on hole 4 (par 4) in the first half, but immediately changed the atmosphere with a birdie on hole 5 (par 5) and a shot eagle on hole 6 (par 4). The JTBC golf relay praised him for playing like Kim Joo-hyung. Then, in the 15th hole (par 5) in the second half, he recorded the second eagle and raised his ranking.

After finishing the first round, Kim Joo-hyung revealed his feelings about signing a sponsorship contract with Nike through an interview with the PGA. “I try not to think too much (of wearing Nikes), but I feel very proud and confident,” he said.

Then, the behind-the-scenes story with Jordan Spieth (USA), who had a shot match in the same group, was revealed. Kim Joo-hyung said that he spent the last Christmas holiday at Jordan Spieth’s house and said, “The more time I spend with Jordan, the closer I get. After the Hero World Challenge, Jordan and I flew together. Thank you so much for inviting me. I think it’s good to get to know Jordan and build a friendship.”

Regarding his impression of playing the King of Kings in Hawaii, he said, “It was good,” and then replied, “I didn’t have a variety of experiences because my family didn’t come with me. I just played golf and rested at a hotel.”