Tom Kim overcame jet lag and limited rest to shoot a three-under 67 as the golf competition at the Asian Games commenced, while defending champion Taichi Kho recorded a hole-in-one during the opening round. The event is being held at the Kasugai Country Club course, a par-70 layout, with three rounds remaining.

Kim, ranked 32nd in the world, arrived in Japan shortly after participating in the Presidents Cup in Medinah, Illinois. Despite just six hours of sleep over two days and adjusting to a 14-hour time difference, the South Korean golfer managed to finish tied for seventh place in his debut at the Games. He was grouped with Japan’s Keita Nakajima, who carded a 68, and Kho from Hong Kong, who shot 69.

The individual men's leaderboard was led by Taiwan’s Wang Weishuan and Japan’s Kazuki Higa, both posting five-under-par 65s.

Only two days before the Asian Games round, Kim had secured a win in his singles match at the Presidents Cup against US Open champion Wyndham Clark, winning 3 and 2. Despite his personal success, the International team ultimately lost to the United States.

Kim expressed appreciation for returning to compete in Asia, noting he does not often get the opportunity to play in the region. A former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, Kim currently holds four titles on the US PGA Tour.

A notable moment of the day was Kho’s hole-in-one on the par-three seventh hole, an accomplishment witnessed by his parents. Kho previously won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games and is defending that title in this edition of the Games.

The tournament will continue over three more rounds at Kasugai Country Club, with players aiming to improve their positions on the leaderboard.