'Hulk' DeChambeau 2nd "Already Seeing 3 Wins"... Kim Si-woo Jumps to 11th

The Players Day 3: 5 Under Par, Westwood Leads by 2 Shots, Thomas Scores Daily Best 8 Under Par

Bryson DeChambeau is examining the putting line on the 1st hole during the third day of The Players Championship. Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is ‘Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau’s hunt for his third victory.

On the 14th (Korean time), at the PGA Tour’s ‘fifth major’ The Players Championship (total prize money $15 million) held at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (par 72, 7,189 yards), DeChambeau surged with a 5-under-par round on the third day to leap into second place (11-under-par 205). Lee Westwood (England) held the lead for the second day (13-under-par 203), and world No. 3 Justin Thomas (USA) was tied for third (10-under-par 206), setting up a fierce final battle for the championship.

DeChambeau recorded six birdies and one bogey. He opened the scoring early with ‘stepping stone birdies’ on holes 2 and 4, then fired three consecutive birdies on holes 10 through 12 in the back nine. A bogey on the 14th hole (par 4) was recovered with a birdie on the 16th hole (par 5). He demonstrated his power with drives up to 334 yards, and despite missing the green eight times that day, his short game stood out by maintaining his score. He is just two strokes behind the leader, well within striking distance for a comeback.

It is interesting that DeChambeau created a similar situation during his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which ended on the 8th. This is a good opportunity to erase the disappointment of his comeback loss to Westwood. Thomas posted a daily best 8-under-par round, emerging as another strong contender. With a green hit rate of 77.78% and his ‘needle-like iron shots,’ he racked up one eagle and seven birdies (with one bogey). World No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain) is tied for fifth place (9-under-par 207).

From Korea, ‘American Express Champ’ Kim Si-woo (26) is tied for 11th place (7-under-par 209). He delighted fans with an 11-meter birdie putt on the ‘death 17th hole.’ Lee Kyung-hoon (30) is tied for 36th place (2-under-par 214), while Im Sung-jae (23, both from CJ Logistics), who started tied for fifth, dropped five strokes to tie for 48th place (1-under-par 215). He suffered a critical double bogey after his tee shot on the 17th hole landed in the water.

Kim Si-woo is teeing off on the 17th hole on the third day of The Players Championship. Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA = Getty Images / MultiBits

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.