KPGA Tour Order of Merit leader Sanghun Shin continued to impress on the professional stage with an opening five-under-par 66 at the Genesis Championship, finishing one shot behind first-round leader Casey Jarvis.
Making only his second DP World Tour appearance, Shin arrived at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club following a run of form that includes a victory and three top tens this season, recording a runner-up finish at last week’s Charity Classic on the KPGA Tour.
Shin continued that form with a remarkable start at the Genesis Championship, holing out from a greenside bunker at the first.
After responding to a dropped shot at the fourth with an immediate bounce-back birdie, Shin added further gains at the ninth, 11th and 12th to join the leaders at four under. Five straight pars followed before a closing birdie moved him alongside Jarvis on five under, only for the South African to edge ahead with a final-hole gain of his own.
“Overall, my game came together nicely today, and my short game was solid, which helped me get through the round comfortably,” Shin said through a translator.
“This is a course I am very familiar with, so I feel very comfortable out there, and I think that has helped me play well.
“It’s a challenging course, but I tend to enjoy playing difficult courses. My short game has been solid, and I’ve been making putts, so this is definitely the kind of course I enjoy playing.”
His form is all the more remarkable given the 27-year-old did not play an official event between the end of 2023 and the start of 2026, returning this year after completing a period of military service.
Shin turned professional towards the end of 2018 and established himself as a steady presence before claiming his maiden victory at the 2022 KPGA Championship. A year later, he secured his second title with a play-off victory at the season-ending LG Signature Players Championship.
After completing his military service, he ended a two-year absence from competitive golf at the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort, where he finished tied 32nd in March.
Shin quickly rediscovered his rhythm, finishing tied fourth in his third start of the year and third two events later.
The two-time KPGA Tour winner recorded two more top-ten finishes across his next nine starts before the World Number 393 claimed a third title at the GolfZon Open via a play-off in September.
One shot behind Jarvis, Shin is determined to maintain his focus as he prepares for a tougher test in colder conditions on Friday morning.
“It’s expected to be quite cold tomorrow morning, so I’ll make sure to dress warmly and be well prepared before getting out there and focusing on my game," he added.
