‘I had everything going’: Michael Kim opens up 1-shot lead at DP World Tour Championship in Dubai

DUBAI: Michael Kim produced a brilliant burst of scoring on the back nine to lead by one shot after the first round of the 2025 DP World Tour Championship on Thursday at the Earth Course of the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

The FedEx Open de France champion made three birdies on the front nine before catching fire after the turn, firing five birdies in six holes from the 10th to set the early clubhouse target at eight under par.

None of the later starters were able to match or beat the American’s 64, with Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood his nearest challenger on seven under.

Fleetwood posted a sparkling 65 to maintain his remarkable form over the past three months. He has won his first PGA TOUR title to capture the FedExCup, played a key role in Europe’s historic away Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black, and lifted the DP World India Championship trophy.

The Englishman also went close at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but lost out to Aaron Rai in a tense playoff on Sunday.

Race to Dubai Rankings leader Rory McIlroy sits in a tie for third, one shot behind Fleetwood, alongside Thriston Lawrence and Andy Sullivan.

Making his first appearance at the DP World Tour’s season finale, Kim’s iron play was particularly impressive as he got inside 3 meters at 11 of the 18 holes to give himself plenty of birdie chances.

He opened his birdie account from about 60 centimeters at the long second before producing a good par save on the third.

After sending his tee-shot at the fourth to just over 5 meters, he converted his birdie putt before picking up another shot from 2 meters at the seventh.

Kim began the front nine with back-to-back birdies from 1.5 meters on the 10th and 11th before making it three in a row with