Lee Kyung-hoon "Back-to-back 5-under-par days with great momentum"... Showple ‘1-stroke lead’

Phoenix Open Day 2: Tied 4th at 2 Shots Behind, Stricker Tied 2nd, Rahm, McIlroy, and Kim Siwoo Tied 27th in 'Chase'

Lee Kyung-hoon is teeing off on the 9th hole on the second day of the Phoenix Open. Scottsdale, Arizona, USA = Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The momentum of Lee Kyung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics) continues.

On the 6th (Korean time), at the Scottsdale TPC (Par 71, 7,261 yards) in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, during the second day of the PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open (total prize money $7.3 million), he reduced 5 strokes and rose to a tie for 4th place (10 under par, 132 strokes). Xander Schauffele surged with 7 under par to take the lead by 1 stroke (12 under par, 130 strokes), while Steve Stricker and Keegan Bradley (both from the USA) are chasing in a tie for 2nd place (11 under par, 131 strokes).

Lee Kyung-hoon started tied for 6th place, 3 strokes behind, and recorded 7 birdies and 2 bogeys. He was quiet with 3 birdies and 2 bogeys over 13 holes, but showed a fierce finishing power with 'two pairs of consecutive birdies' on holes 14-15 and 17-18. He relied on his 'needle-like iron shots' with a green hit rate of 83.33%, and his strokes gained putting was outstanding at 3.489 strokes. He is 2 strokes behind the leader, in a position to expect his first career victory.

Veteran Stricker recorded 5 under par and is in the running for the win. Stricker, who will turn 54 on February 23, is challenging for the oldest winner record on the PGA Tour. The record is held by Sam Snead (USA) at 52 years and 10 months. Former number 1 Jordan Spieth (USA) reduced 4 strokes for two consecutive days and is performing well in a tie for 8th place (8 under par, 134 strokes). Brooks Koepka is also tied for 8th, and Justin Thomas (both USA) is tied for 16th place (7 under par, 135 strokes).

Number 2 Jon Rahm (Spain) added 2 under par to be tied for 27th place (5 under par, 137 strokes). Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) is also in this group. Defending champion Webb Simpson (USA) shot 6 under par to jump to a tie for 40th place (4 under par, 138 strokes). From Korea, Kim Si-woo (26) is tied for 27th, An Byeong-hun (30) tied for 40th, and Im Sung-jae (23) tied for 55th place (3 under par, 139 strokes) advanced to the final round, while Kang Sung-hoon (34, also CJ Logistics) was cut off, tied for 120th place (3 over par, 145 strokes).

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