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Korean golfers struggle in opening round of Masters

Published: 10 Apr. 2026, 12:46

Kim Si-woo of Korea tees off on the 11th hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia, on April 9 in this Getty Images photo. [YONHAP]

Both of the Koreans in action at the Masters struggled in the opening round of the first major of the men's golf season.

Kim Si-woo shot a three-over 75 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on Thursday to sit tied for 48th among 91 players, and countryman Im Sung-jae carded a four-over 76 to tie for 56th.

Kim had two birdies against three bogeys and one double bogey, which came on the first hole. He was shaky with his ball striking, missing five fairways and hitting just half the greens in regulation.

Kim, the highest-ranked Korean at No. 28, is playing in his ninth Masters, and his first since 2024. His best performance at Augusta is a tie for 12th in 2021.

Before Thursday, Kim had broken 70 just once in his 16 previous rounds at the Masters.

Making his seventh consecutive Masters appearance, Im did not have a birdie in the first round, settling for two bogeys and one double bogey. Despite missing just two fairways, he only hit 10 of the 18 greens in regulation.

Im, world No. 71, tied for second at the 2020 Masters, the best performance by a Korean player at Augusta National to date. In 2025, he was one of only two players to shoot under par in all four rounds, en route to tying for fifth place.

The defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is tied for the lead with Sam Burns of the United States at five-under. McIlroy is trying to become the first player to win back-to-back Masters titles since Tiger Woods did so in 2001 and 2002.

Three players are tied for third at three-under, including the 2018 champion Patrick Reed of the United States.

Yonhap