Kim Joo-hyung (21) competes for the championship with Rory McIlroy안전놀이터 (34, Northern Ireland) at the Genesis Scottish Open (total prize money of $9 million) co-hosted by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. .
In the third round of the tournament held at The Renaissance Club (par 70) in North Berwick, Scotland on the 15th (Korean time), Kim Joo-hyung caught 3 birdies without bogey and hit 3 under par 67.
Kim Joo-hyung, who recorded a total of 12 under par and 198 strokes until the third round, took second place alone, chasing McIlroy, the sole leader, by one stroke.
With this, Kim Joo-hyung will challenge to win 3 times on the PGA Tour in 9 months since winning the Shriners Children’s Open in October last year. Kim Joo-hyung, who emerged as a ‘divine’ on the PGA Tour with two wins last year alone, wrote a jagged report card, including missing the cut three times in the last five tournaments, but fired a revival signal at this tournament, which ranked third last year.
Kim Joo-hyung, who continued to chase after McIlroy by catching birdies in order at holes 3 (par 5), 6 (par 3), and 10 holes (par 5), did not put his second shot on the green at hole 18 (par 4). failed and ran into a crisis. However, he was delighted with his fists clenched after making a tricky 3m par putt.
Kim Joo-hyung said, “The successful par putt on the 18th hole was his best finish. He was in a good place to aim for a chance (to win),” he said, not hiding his desire to win.
In the final 4th round, the starting time of the players was advanced due to the forecast of rain and wind. Kim Joo-hyung will start the final round with McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood (England) in third place at 4:57 pm on the 16th in Korea time.
McIlroy tied 5 birdies and 2 bogeys to reduce 3 strokes and maintain the sole lead with a total of 13 under par 197 strokes.
He showed some regrets, such as missing this eagle putt even after putting the second shot at the 10th hole (par 5) at a distance of 1m from the pin, but “I am still in a good position. He’s leading the way, so he’s not disappointed,” he said.
McIlroy, who was originally from Northern Ireland and had never won a championship in Scotland even when he was active on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), is aiming for his first Scottish title this time. At the 150th Open Championship held in St. Andrews, Scotland last year, he tied for the lead until the third round, but on the last day he suffered a come-from-behind defeat to Cameron Smith (Australia) and finished the tournament alone in third place.
If he wins this time, it will be his 24th win on the PGA Tour in 9 months since The CJ Cup in October last year.
Fleetwood tied 8 birdies and 1 bogey, hitting 7 under par 63 strokes, and tied with Brian Harmon (USA) for 3rd place (11 under par 199 strokes).
Ahn Byeong-hoon (32) only reduced one stroke, slightly dropping from a tie for second place the previous day to a tie for fifth place (10 under par, 200 strokes). World No. 1 Scotty Scheffler (USA) also tied for 5th.
Defending champion Zander Chopley (USA) was tied for 18th place (7 under par 203 strokes).