Mickelson Leads by One Stroke: "Oldest Major Winner GO~"... What About Im Sungjae?

103rd PGA Championship Day 3: 2 Under Par, 'Major Man' Kepka Chases 2nd Place, Spieth 13th

Phil Mickelson is greeting fans after finishing the 18th hole on the third day of the 103rd PGA Championship. Kiawah Island (South Carolina, USA) = Getty Images / MultiBits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Marching toward the oldest major championship victory."

The moving day surge of 51-year-old veteran Phil Mickelson. On the 23rd (Korean time), at the 103rd PGA Championship held at Kiawah Island Ocean Course (par 72, 7,876 yards) in South Carolina, USA, he added 2-under par on the third day to take a one-stroke lead (7-under 209). 'Major man' Brooks Koepka (both from the USA) is in second place (6-under 210), and 'Shrek' Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) is in third place (5-under 211), mounting a late chase.

Mickelson started tied for the lead and recorded five birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. He gained momentum with back-to-back birdies twice, on holes 2-3 and 6-7, and added a 2-meter birdie on the 10th hole (par 4), surging to a commanding five-stroke lead. It was unfortunate that after a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4), his tee shot on the 13th hole (par 4) landed in the water, resulting in a double bogey. Fortunately, Koepka's bogey on the 18th hole (par 4) helped Mickelson maintain the top of the leaderboard.

This is a golden opportunity for Mickelson to claim his 45th career win, his first in two years and three months since the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2019. It is interesting that Mickelson, at 50 years and 11 months old, is challenging to become the oldest major winner. He could break the record set by Julius Boros (USA) at 48 years old in this tournament in 1968. "At the 13th hole, my downswing speed from the top was too fast," he said, adding, "But overall, my game is good, so tomorrow I will focus on maintaining this level of play," showing his fighting spirit.

Koepka is the main threat. Among his eight career wins, four are majors, and this tournament is his 'promised land,' where he successfully defended his title in 2018 and 2019. 'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) is tied for 7th place (2-under 214), and Korea's Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) is tied for 10th place (1-under 215). 'Texas boy' Jordan Spieth (USA) is tied for 13th place (even par 216), making the achievement of a 'career Grand Slam' challenging. An Byeong-hun (30) is tied for 75th place (9-over 225).

Im Sung-jae is disappointed after missing a par putt on the 17th hole during the third day of the PGA Championship. Kiawah Island (South Carolina, USA) = Getty Images / Multibits

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