Taiwan’s Kevin Yu made his first start of the year on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open on Thursday, and has already been compared to the likes of Viktor Hovland. The 23-year-old is playing at Torrey Pines on a sponsor’s exemption and is in the same field as defending champion Patrick Reed, world No. 1 Jon Rahm, current FedEx Cup leader Hideki Matsuyama, Dustin Johnson, Olympic Games gold medallist Xander Schauffele and Phil Mickelson. Yu shot a 1-under par 71 on the North Course in the first round, while Billy Horschel’s blistering 9-under 63 left him a stroke ahead of Michael Thompson. After turning professional following his graduation from Arizona State University in the middle of last year, Yu showed some early promise with two top-5s and three top-25 finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour. He also played in three PGA Tour events during the autumn, finishing in a tie for 27th at the Shriners Children’s Open and missing the cut at the Fortinet Championship and RSM Classic. Yu will primarily compete on the Korn Ferry Tour again this year and intends to launch a legitimate challenge for one of the 50 PGA Tour cards available through the regular season and Tour finals. “My goal is to have a top-10 finish for my first event this year,” Yu said. “I feel good about my recent status and feel confident following the preparation I have put in for this week. My goal for this year is to get PGA Tour membership.” Matsuyama’s eighth PGA Tour win can herald start of golden age for Asian golf Yu, who was part of the Taiwan team that won the team gold at the 2014 Asian Games, is ready to jump right into the thick of battle after enjoying a good off-season. He spent more than a week in Hawaii without touching a golf club before grinding at the range to prepare for 2022. “My practice was not only on my skills but also on my mentality,” Yu said. “After I turned professional, I have played more golf and my time was spent mostly on travelling and competing. My life is now different, but I enjoy it. My driving is the strong part of my game, which helps a lot but my short game needs improvements.” Compatriot CT Pan fared better, finishing the opening day on 5-under, and the pair played a practice round together earlier in the week. Like many, Yu was inspired by Pan’s bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last July. “I am so happy to see CT winning an Olympic medal,” Yu said. “It is the first Olympic medal for Taiwan in history. I am so happy for him. I haven’t seen him in a while and hope both of us will have good results this week. “CT gave me some advice after I turned professional and no matter what kind of questions I have for him, whether it’s on skills or tournament management, he is always willing to help. He told me I need to focus on my goal and achieve it step by step.” First start of 2022 for @DJohnsonPGA . pic.twitter.com/wY6xGTnNdw — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 26, 2022 Pan has known Yu since they played in the Asian Games and believes his young compatriot will have a great career on the main Tour. “He will do great things, definitely better than I am,” Pan said. “He’s got power and has a solid game in every part. Short game is good and putting is good. He’s going to be a great player. “He’s like Viktor Hovland. Both of them are solid, hit it really far, have a solid all-round game and are great guys too. I’d love to help him in any way that I can. They succeed because of their own game, and if he needs help I’m always there for him.”