Michael Kim Seized Lead at Open de France
Michael Kim carded a stellar opening round of 63 to establish an early lead at the Open de France.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Golf
Michael Kim finished the first round of the Open de France at Le Golf National with a score of 63. He holds the lead after securing eight birdies throughout his opening round in France.
Why it matters
Kim gained separation from a crowded leaderboard by starting his round with four birdies in his first six holes. His performance positions him ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick and several other competitors tied for second.
Michael Kim carded 8 birdies to finish his opening round with a 63. He leads a pack of seven players currently tied for second place at six under par.
The players
Michael Kim
Michael Kim is a professional golfer currently competing on the international tour.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick is a professional golfer known for his performance in major international championships.
Manuel Elvira
Manuel Elvira is a professional golfer who competed in the opening round of the Open de France.
The details
Kim began his opening round on the back nine and maintained momentum to distance himself from the field. Matt Fitzpatrick trails the leader by two strokes after recording a 65, while Manuel Elvira struggled to an opening round score of 80.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The opening round of the Open de France took place.
September 25, 2026: Live tournament coverage continues at 12:30pm.
Season Trajectory
This strong start at Le Golf National significantly alters the leaderboard dynamics for the remainder of the tournament. The performance establishes an early baseline for contenders looking to secure their position ahead of the final rounds.
Michael Kim is currently the player to beat for those tracking individual performance metrics or tournament betting favorites. Matt Fitzpatrick remains in a strong position, sitting only two strokes off the lead heading into the second round.
The takeaway
Maintaining momentum after a fast start on the back nine proved essential for Kim to secure the lead. Consistency will be the primary factor for all players as they navigate the remaining rounds at Le Golf National.
What happens next
Live coverage of the tournament continues on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 12:30pm.
Further reading
For more updates on professional tours, visit Golf.
