GREENSBORO, N.C. — Joohyung Tom KimThe Wyndham Championship began with a quadruple par on his first hole. He was not bothered. The kid seems to be moving at a rapid pace.
Kim already has a PGA Tour Card for next season. He overcame a rough start Friday with a 6-under 64. This gave him a share in the lead Brandon Wu Ryan MooreIn the final PGA Tour event for the regular season.
Kim, a 20-year old South Korean player, must win at Sedgefield County Club to qualify him for the FedEx Cup playoffs. Only a victory will grant him immediate membership.
He doesnt feel pressure to finish the task. Kim is content to be where is is today, considering his situation a month ago.
Kim — he goes by Tom because of his fascination as a kid with Thomas the Tank Engine in the TV series Thomas & Friends — finished third in the Scottish Open, made the cut in The Open and the 3M Open, and then finished seventh last week in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
This earned him enough points that he was guaranteed a card next season. He has demonstrated in just two days that it is difficult to stop this train.
On Thursday, he shot eight shots to make his first hole. Kim has now made 14 birdies, and is now 9-under 131 with Wu (67), and Moore (67).
Kim stated, If you wouldve told me yesterday after the first hole, where Id end up after two days, I would have taken it,
He said, It is just one bad hole. I said to myself, You know what? Told myself, You know what? I have plenty of holes to bring it back. If I just play my next 35 holes well, Ill be fine. Thats exactly what I did. Its a bonus that I played better than I thought.
John HuhThe winner of the opening round with a 61 was followed by a 71, and was 1 shot behind. Russell Henley(65) Sungjae Im (67).
Due to a storm late in afternoon, the second round was delayed until Saturday morning. There will be consequences.
Chris GotterupTo be 2-under 138, he had to make a par on the 18th. He went into a bunker and blasted long, but he was faced with a 4-foot bogey when he returned to the course in the morning. He will finish with a score of 1 under, which could allow as many as 23 players to play the weekend.
Austin SmothermanHowever, he was still 1 under and had a 12-foot putt for birdie on No. 8, his 17th hole. Smotherman is the equivalent for No. Smotherman is the equivalent of No.125 in the FedEx Cup and must make the cut to maintain his hopes of making it to the postseason.
Moore also needs a big weekend. Moore will not be able to recover his full card next season if he isnt able to play solo after a back injury.
He isnt thinking about it as much, but he does want to take time to rest and get in shape. He explained that the area where the spine meets the ribs is in decline and that swinging a club is not necessarily the best therapy. He can see the finish line and a great result would help his confidence and status going forward.
What about the top-125 who qualify for postseason?
It doesnt matter at this point, Im so far out from it, he stated. Ive been dealing for a while with this injury. I know whats happening now. Its just that I need to take the time to fix it. Right now, its just trying find a little form and a little confidence to get me into this fall.
Rickie FowlerHe is being given time off he does not want. He made three consecutive bogeys in the second round, but he rallied to score a 69. He was at par for the tournament and missed the cut. Fowler is the equivalent number. Fowler would most likely fall out of the top125 and miss the postseason for the second consecutive year.
Brian StuardHe started at No. He started at No.137 in the FedEx Cup, and followed his 65 with a 68 to finish 2 shots behind the lead. He could reach the top 125 with a strong weekend.
DIVOTS: Jason DayDue to illness, he withdrew. He had started with a 67. … Former Masters champion Danny WillettHe was heading for a missed cut, and will finish out the top 125. … Players who joined Saudi-backed LIV Golf but were suspended from the FedEx Cup will not count towards the final 125.