Michael Kim and Rose Zhang made quite an impression during their debut at the Grant Thornton Invitational on Friday, December 12. Paired together for the first time, the dynamic duo showcased their skills on the golf course, with Kim jokingly accepting the role of “second fiddle” and helping in picking up the marker.
In the opening round of the tournament, Zhang and Kim put on a stellar performance, carding a bogey-free, 14-under 58. The pair managed to pick up an impressive 12 birdies and two eagles in a scramble format round, leaving fans and fellow competitors in awe of their chemistry and skill.
Following their round, a video shared by the LPGA captured Zhang sinking a clutch putt on the par-5 17th hole. In response to the video, Kim humorously remarked, “Tough job but someone’s gotta pick up the marker,” showcasing his lighthearted attitude and camaraderie with his teammate.
Currently, Zhang and Kim find themselves tied for fourth place after the first round, trailing the leaders Charley Hull / Michael Brennan and Lexi Thompson / Wyndham Clark by three strokes. The leaderboard for the Grant Thornton Invitational after Round 1 stands as follows:
1. Hull / Brennan: -17
2. Thompson / Clark: -17
3. Coughlin / Novak: -15
4. Zhang / Kim: -14
5. Kupcho / Gotterup: -14
6. Korda / McCarthy: -14
7. Tavatanakit / Knapp: -13
8. Yin / Hoge: -12
9. Ko / Day: -12
10. Lee / Horschel: -11
11. Henderson / Conners: -11
12. Vu / Finau: -11
13. Stark / Shipley: -10
14. Korda / Cauley: -10
15. Woad / Clanton: -9
16. Khang / Mitchell: -8
Looking ahead to Round 2, Zhang and Kim are scheduled to tee off alongside Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak at 12:12 pm ET on Saturday, December 13. The foursome round promises to be another exciting opportunity for the duo to showcase their talent and climb up the leaderboard.
With their impressive performance in the first round and a strong start to the tournament, all eyes will be on Zhang and Kim as they continue their journey at the Grant Thornton Invitational. Stay tuned for more updates on their progress and results in this thrilling golf event.
