DP World TourBrian KeoghSeptember 25, 2026Open de France, Michael Kim, DP Wo, Dylan KeatingComment

Kim takes control with super 63 in Paris

DP World TourBrian KeoghSeptember 25, 2026Open de France, Michael Kim, DP Wo, Dylan KeatingComment

Michael Kim found Le Golf National to his liking as he began his Open de France defence with a stunning eight-under par 63.

The American won at Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche last year as the Paris venue underwent extensive renovations.

But the change of scenario made no difference to the world number 64, who made eight birdies in a bogey-free effort to lead by two strokes from a six-man group featuring world number four Matt Fitzpatrick and Norwegian Ryder Cup hopeful Kristoffer Reitan.

"Just a dream start,” Kim said. "All parts of my game were really good, especially my irons and my putting. I couldn't have asked for a better start.”

The 33-year-old felt comfortable at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue.

“This course reminds me of some of the courses I really enjoy playing back home," he said. "Weirdly enough, it reminds me a lot of TPC Scottsdale.

“It's totally different surroundings, but, you know, you still have to keep the ball in play, there's lots of water hazards, and I've had plenty of success there.

"So I felt comfortable. Maybe it's the food. Maybe it's the wine. I don't know. I might have to start looking for a place here, maybe. We'll see."

Fitzpatrick is seeking his 11th DP World Tour win and his fourth this year after winning three times on the PGA TOUR.

“Yeah, really good day,” said the Englishman, who shared second with rising star Reitan, compatriot Sam Bairstow, Italians Matteo Manassero and Gregorio de Leo, Australia’s Jason Scrivener and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence.

“Great start to the week, and you know, relatively stress-free, which is always nice, particularly around this golf course.”

Fitzpatrick hasn’t played the event since 2018 and he admitted the course is not the only thing that’s changed.

“My game is very different from then to now,” he said. “So I think that comes with higher confidence, higher expectations. So you just got to try and manage that, I guess.”

On the Sunshine Tour, Rowan Lester was tied for 20th after opening with a four-under 68 in the inaugural Rwanda Open at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas.

He was five strokes behind South Africans Travis Procter and Nikhil Rama as compatriot Liam Grehan shared 72nd after a 72.

Meanwhile, County Louth amateur Dylan Keating (24) came up short at the First Stage of the DP World Tour Q-School in Austria.

The North of Ireland champion closed with a two-over 74 at Golfclub Schloss Ebreichsdorf to finish 36th on five-under, four shots outside the qualifying mark.

Five of 22 Irish entrants have made it through from the First to the Second Stage — Thomas Higgins, Niall Kearney, Ronan Mullarney, John-Ross Galbraith and Dermot McElroy.