Kim Chan Takes Solo Lead at PGA Tour Qualifying After Welcoming First Daughter

"I need to work harder to pay for my baby's diapers," said Korean-American golfer Kim Chan after taking the solo lead on day one of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament, just weeks after welcoming his first daughter.

Kim carded a bogey-free 6-under-par 64 with six birdies in the first round at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Sunday. He leads Grayson Sigg of the United States by one stroke, with Sigg at 5-under-par. The top five finishers among the 174 competitors will earn PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season.

Kim, who made his PGA Tour debut in 2024, entered the qualifying tournament after falling outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings this year. He has won eight titles on the Japan Golf Tour and claimed two victories on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023. His best PGA Tour finish was a tied-fifth place at the Texas Open in April this year.

In his post-round interview, Kim revealed that his first daughter was born in early December. However, the baby arrived three weeks premature and required about a month of hospital treatment for lung and heart conditions.

"The first two weeks were really tough," Kim said. "The doctors weren't sure how she would do, and we were very worried, but thankfully she gradually improved."

Noh Seung-yul finished at 1-under-par in a tie for 34th place. Finishers from sixth through 40th place will earn spots on the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2026 season. Ok Tae-hoon and Bae Yong-joon both finished at 2-over-par, tied for 110th.