Kim Si-woo is watching the ball flying after the second shot from the 8th hole. AFP Yonhap News
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According to the American Professional Golf (PGA) Tour, when Kim Si-woo (26) started the final round as the lead, the percentage of winning was 25%. With the exception of the 2016 Wyndham Championship, which has been leading the fourth round four times so far, and won the first PGA Tour, the winners have had to shake hands of congratulations. Can Siwoo Kim get through the’narrow door’ and pick up the trophy again?
On the 24th (Korean time), at the PGA Tour American Express (total prize money of $6.7 million) held at the PGA West Stadium Course (par 72, 7113 yards) in La Quinta, California, USA, on the 24th (Korean time), she swept 5 birdies without a look. 5 under par 67 strokes. After completing the first round, he finished another round of ‘no see’, with a total of 15 under par 201 strokes on three days, leading the team with Max Homa (31) and Tony Pinau (32) of the US It is a challenge to win in 3 years and 8 months since the Players Championship in May 2017.
Kim Si-woo, who tied for 34th at the Masters in November last year, ended the season early and chose to reorganize. Suddenly he returned home and spent time with his family, improving his mental power. During the period of self-isolation, a simple exercise room was set up in the room, burning the will to leap again. Last week, he tied for 25th at the Sony Open in Hawaii and got a chance to win his second competition in the new year.
On this day, he greatly benefited from his trademark awl iron shot. The green hit rate for three days was 81.48%, tied for fourth overall. With this in mind, he caught the first birdie on the 3rd hole (par 4) and reduced one more stroke on the 5th hole (par 5). After recording the first buddy in the second half on hole 12 (par 4), he added a birdie on hole 14 (par 4) and hole 16 (par 5). Kim Si-woo said, “After checking the swing with the coach last week and making a few corrections, I feel good and take a shot comfortably,” he said. “I mainly touched the backswing and takeaway movements.”
Putting still remained a homework. I had to be satisfied with the birdie because I couldn’t put the second shot with 258 yards left on the 16th hole and hit the 5th wood next to the hole 2m. Even in the 17th hole (par 3), he missed the opportunity for a birdie of over 3m. Kim Si-woo said, “I missed a lot of chances that came in the second half because my putt didn’t work well,” and said, “I will check my putting and do better tomorrow.”
He usually plays aggressive golf, but in the final round he intends to refine his breath. He explained, “I try to stay calm, relax, and be less aggressive while waiting a little longer,” and “I think if I keep my senses today, I think I can finish well tomorrow.” He also said, “I want to play good while having fun.”
Competitors stand behind Kim Si-woo. Rich Warrence Key (30, USA) ranked 4th in the first stroke (14 under par), and Emiliano Griyo (29, Argentina) was tied for 5th in the second stroke (13 under par). The competition for the championship is expected to be fierce as there are also five players in the group 8th with a three-stroke difference.
Ahn Byung-hoon (30) grabbed 6 birdies and blocked the bogie with 1, reducing 5 strokes, and was tied for 13th place (11 under par). Lim Seong-jae (23), who was the sole leader until the second round, lost one stroke and fell to 20th place with a 10 under par in the middle. Having missed the ball three times in the hazard alone that day caught his ankle.
Reporter Jo Hee-chan [email protected]
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