PGA Tour: Taiwan’s CT Pan expecting ‘great things’ from compatriot Kevin Yu ahead of Farmers Insurance Open
- Yu is making his first start on the main Tour at Torrey Pines this week alongside world No 1 Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama
- 23-year-old will spend most of the season on the Korn Ferry Tour and is looking to earn a spot on PGA Tour
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.