It was a case of mixed fortunes for players vying to retain their DP World Tour playing privileges on the opening day of the Genesis Championship, the final regular event of the season.
With the top 100 on the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World at the end of the week earning the right to plan a near-full schedule for 2027, the stakes are high for those facing a last-ditch attempt to avoid a trip to Qualifying School.
At the end of an opening round in South Korea where South Africa’s Casey Jarvis, who can rise to second on the Race to Dubai with a third win of the season, led by one after a six-under-par 65, Niklas Lemke was the best-placed on the leaderboard of those needing a big performance to play his way inside the cut-off.
After missed cuts in two of his last three starts, the Swede is 140th on the Rankings and suffered a nightmare start early into his day with a double bogey at the tenth but recovered impressively with six birdies - including five on his back nine - to reach the clubhouse at four under and in a tie for third.
But he shares that spot with four other players and in a sign of just how tight things could be on Sunday, Lemke is projected to rise to 102nd.
A shot further back, Ryygs Johnston, whose winner’s exemption from his victory at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in December 2024 is running out, needs to finish second at least to stand a chance of breaking into the top 100.
The American is off to a positive start in that demanding task after mixing an eagle, two birdies and a bogey to sit in a tie for eighth at three under – three adrift of Jarvis.
"Didn't make a lot of putts on the back nine, which was kind of frustrating because I hit the ball really well and I felt like it could have been a really, really good round.
"But golf's been pretty tough for me lately, so it's finally nice to get a solid round in there."
It's been a long stretch for me of bad golf, so it's exhausting on both ends of it
Johnston arrived at Woo Jeong Hills CC on a run of nine missed cuts in a row and 12 of his last 13 since finishing tied 25th in Italy in June, resulting in a gradual slide to 169th in the Rankings.
As such it's been a draining period both mentally and physically, with the 26-year-old having played every event since the summer break and with this his 31st start of the campaign that has seen him play in 23 countries.
"I mean, it's been hard to be free at all swinging," he added. "It's been a long stretch for me of bad golf, so it's exhausting on both ends of it.
"But just coming in this week, I was just going to be like, this is probably my last tournament of the year and I'm just going to give it all I got and see what happens."
Of those on the outside looking in, Yuto Katsuragawa came into the week with among the best chances of breaking into the top 100 at 106th.
Another winner from the 2024 season, the Japanese is projected to climb to 99th as things stand after a two-under-par 69 to sit tied 12th after day one.
Three spots lower down on the Rankings, Brandon Robinson Thompson birdied two of his final four holes to card a level-par 71 and take some momentum into his second round, with the Englishman potentially needing to finish as high as fifth to guarantee his playing rights for another season.
"Some good, some average," reflected the Englishman. "But all-in-all, I had a lot of fun and hit a lot of good golf shots, it's always nice to finish with a birdie.
"I would've liked to make a couple of birdies to be honest, but I just found the pins were quite tucked this morning, especially this morning, it was hard to get the ball close. I think the scoring reflects that.
"Par is a good score any day of the week but I'm happy with how I went around my business. Like I said, it's really nice to finish with a birdie and it'll make my noodles taste better."
On the eve of the tournament, Kiradech Aphibarnrat spoke of how he was taking inspiration from his coach sharing photos of his four DP World Tour titles, but he was unable to use that to fuel a positive start in Korea.
The Thai, a fan favourite around the world, faces a big ask just to make the cut after a 75 on Thursday.
"There is a lot of pressure," he said. "You guys know I'm not playing my A-game, my best golf.
"Especially with my back against the wall, it's not easy to go out there and play your own game and do everything as you're used to do. Everything has been so difficult for me."
But with one round still in front of him tomorrow to change matters, he is not giving up the fight.
"I need to try and make birdies, a lot of birdies," he said. "It doesn't matter how many bogeys I make.
"I have to play with freedom tomorrow. I can't lose anything more than I have got right now. Just try to enjoy, play my own game and hope that my A-game shows up tomorrow."
Eddie Pepperell, who is not teeing it up in Korea, is projected to fall from 99th to 100th in the Rankings but faces an anxious wait.
Sean Crocker, who sits at 103rd, opened his front nine with two birdies that would have helped his chances but three bogeys and a birdie on his back-nine saw him sign for a 72, which currently sees him at 101st.
The man currently occupying that 101st spot, Sebastian Söderberg, also had a disappointing day playing in the morning groups. The Swede posted a five-over 76 and will need a brilliant day on Friday to make the cut and keep his card.
