Si Woo Kim, a resident of Dallas, Texas, came close to making PGA Tour history at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Friday. Playing at TPC Craig Ranch, located about 30 miles north of Dallas, Kim was on the brink of achieving a rare sub-60 round. However, a bogey on the final hole left him with an impressive 11-under 60.
Kim’s performance was remarkable throughout the day, as he recorded 12 birdies on the par-71 course. His round included a stunning 17-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole, which positioned him for a potential 59. Unfortunately, on the 18th hole, Kim’s second shot overshot the green, and his subsequent chip left him with a challenging 19-foot putt for par, which he missed.
The 18th hole at Craig Ranch, redesigned by Lanny Wadkins, played as a par 4 for the first time in the tournament’s history, adding to the challenge. Despite the bogey, Kim leads the tournament by five shots at 18-under 124 after two rounds.
Kim was paired with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka. Scheffler, who shot an 8-under 63, praised Kim’s performance, noting the pressure of being on a ’59 watch.’ Scheffler himself has achieved a 59 in the past, making him well aware of the mental challenge involved.
Kim’s fellow South Korean, Sungjae Im, also had a notable day, shooting a 61, including an ace on the par-3 seventh hole. Im is tied for second place with Scheffler, Japan’s Kensei Hirata, and Wyndham Clark at 13 under.
Reflecting on his round, Kim expressed satisfaction with his performance, despite the missed opportunity for a 59. ‘I hit it great and putted great,’ Kim said. ‘Everything was perfect, other than the last hole. I’ll still take it. Sixty is hard.’
The tournament continues over the weekend, with players hoping for favorable conditions similar to the soft, calm weather experienced so far. As the event unfolds, local fans will be keenly watching to see if Kim can maintain his lead and secure a victory on home turf.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
