From a Correspondent
La Quinta, California: Korean star Joohyung ‘Tom; Kim will be targeting an epic comeback at The American Express as he seeks to match Tiger Woods’ record of three titles in just 23 PGA Tour starts.
The 20-year-old rolled in a birdie from 12 feet at the last hole for a third round of five-under 67 at the PGA West Stadium Course on Saturday for tied fifth place on 18-under 198,
He sits five strokes behind joint third-round leaders Jon Rahm and Davis Thompson, who signed for a 65 and 67 respectively.
Kim (69-62-67) has already won at the Wyndham Championship and Shriners Children’s Open last year to become the first golfer since Woods to win twice before turning 21.
The talented youngster faces an uphill battle on Sunday to secure a third victory, especially against the in-form Rahm, who came from seven shots back two weeks ago to win the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Kim will also be keen to make it a second win in as many weeks for Korea following compatriot Si Woo Kim’s triumph at the Sony Open in Hawaii last weekend.
Illustrious mark
If he succeeds, he will etch his name in golf’s history books alongside Woods in needed only 23 tournaments to win three times on the world’s leading golf circuit.
After turning in 32 following some exquisite shot-making, Kim needed a crucial birdie from the bunker on the 12th hole to halt a run of two successive bogeys on 10 and 11.
He made two more birdies coming home, with the final gain prompting him to urge the fans to cheer him louder.
“Hundred percent,” said Kim when asked how important the birdie was at No 12.
“I was in a tough spot. I didn’t hit a really good 2-iron off the tee. Pulled it left in that bunker literally a hundred yards right and put myself in a spot. I was on a bogey train, two in a row.
“Hitting a really good wedge shot from the bunker to give myself a chance for birdie and making that putt kind of calmed me down a little bit to kind of just cruise through the back nine.”
Kim reckoned the good finish was a confidence booster ahead of a return to the Stadium Course for Sunday’s final round.
“I missed a few chances coming in. Obviously a lot of people on 18. I just wanted to hit a good putt and hopefully make it,” he said.
“Good front nine. Little shaky back nine. I walked away with under par on that nine, which is great. It just kind of keeps me in a good spot for tomorrow.”
Late charge
Fellow Korean Sungjae Im birdied three of his last six holes at La Quinta Country Club for a 68 and 17-under total to be tied for ninth place.
Compatriots Si Woo (69), Byeong Hun An (63) and China’s Marty Dou (68) were the other Asians to survive the 54-hole cut, finishing the third round in T27 on 203, T36 on 204 and T62 on 206 respectively.
World no. 4 Rahm, the 2018 winner of The American Express, will aim to become the first multiple-winner on Tour in the 2022-23 season.
At the Sentry Tournament of Champions three weeks ago Rahm (64-64-65) came from behind to beat Collin Morikawa.
“So very confident going into tomorrow and knowing that I’m going to have to shoot another low score if I want to have a chance to win,” said Rahm, who was 8-under through 12 holes courtesy of an eagle and six birdies before conceding his only shot on 18.
Also read: Si Woo earns perfect wedding gift with Sony Open title in Hawaii
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