Max Homa and Michael Kim Face Uphill Climb After First Round of The Open

Both Cal alums will need strong second-round efforts to make cut at Royal Birkdale; Collin Morikawa made later start

Michael Kim | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Max Homa and Michael Kim completed the opening round of The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale clear about their assignment for Friday: Scramble to climb into the top-70 to make the cut.

The two Cal alums have work to do after Thursday’s 18 holes over the par-70 layout at Southport, England if they want to play the weekend. 

Homa is in the mix after a 1-over 71 left him in a tie for 68th with two-thirds of the 156-player field still on the course.

Kim faces a steeper climb. He shot a 3-over 73 and shared 111th place when this story was published. 

Fellow Golden Bear Collin Morikawa, who won the British title and the Claret Jug in 2021, had a later tee time and was at even par through four holes.

The early leaders in the clubhouse were England’s Daniel Brown and South Korean Sungjae Im, both with 4-under 66s. Seven more players were one stroke back and world No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler was tied for 10th after a 2-under 68 that included four birdies over his first six holes.

Homa, 35, is playing The Open for the fifth time, including a tie for 10th place in 2023. 

Ranked 74th in the world, Homa had birdies on Nos. 5 and 17 on Thursday along with bogeys on 6, 8 and 15.

Kim, 33, is hoping to avoid missing the cut for a second straight year at this event. His best finish at The Open was a tie for 35th place in 2018.

Kim posted bogeys on Nos. 4 and 6, a double-bogey on the 12th and another bogey No. 15 to enter the final three holes at five over. The world’s 55th-ranked player made progress with birdies on 16 and 17 before closing with a par.

This story will be updated

Follow Jeff Faraudo on Twitter, Facebook and Bluesky