'Number 2' Morikawa's "8-Under Par Moving Day Surge"..."World Ranking No. 1 Secured~"

'Woods Host' Hero World Challenge Day 3, Kepka 2nd Place 5 Strokes Behind, Reed, Berger and 5 Others Tied for 3rd

Collin Morikawa is executing a chip shot on the 3rd hole of the 3rd round at the Hero World Challenge. Bahamas=Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "8-under par moving day spurt."

'Number 2' Collin Morikawa surged with an 8-under par on the third day of the Hero World Challenge (total prize money $3.5 million) held on the 5th (Korean time) at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas (par 72, 7,309 yards), taking a commanding 5-stroke lead (18-under par 198). This event is especially notable as it is hosted by the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (both from the USA). Although it is not an official tournament, the winner's prize is $1 million (?1.19 billion), and world ranking points are also at stake.

With a victory in this tournament, Morikawa can ascend to 'Number 1' in the absence of Jon Rahm (Spain). At 24 years old this year, it is remarkable that he would become the fourth player in history to reach world number one before turning 25, following Woods, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and Jordan Spieth (USA). He joined the PGA Tour in 2019 and achieved this in just four seasons. He earned his first win at the Barracuda Championship in July, and in July 2020, he defeated Justin Thomas (USA) in a playoff at the Workday Charity Open, drawing significant attention.

In August, he finally joined the ranks of major champions by winning the PGA Championship, and following his victory at the World Golf Championships (WGC) Workday Championship in March, he secured his second major at The Open in July. In 55 events, he has 5 wins, four runner-up finishes, and an impressive 20 top-10 finishes. He gained momentum by winning the DP World Tour Championship, the final event of the 2021 European Tour season, on the 22nd of last month. Starting the day tied for second place, one stroke behind, he added six birdies including a 'chip shot eagle' on the 3rd hole (par 5).

Brooks Koepka is attempting a trouble shot on the 16th hole of the third day at the Hero World Challenge. Bahamas=Getty Images/Multibits

Brooks Koepka is in 2nd place (13-under par 203), while Patrick Reed, Daniel Berger, Sam Burns, Tony Finau (all USA), and Viktor Hovland (Norway) are tied for 3rd place (12-under par 204), mounting a late charge. The second-round leader, 'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA), lost a stroke and dropped to 9th place (10-under par 206). First-round leader McIlroy also struggled with a triple bogey on the 11th hole (par 5) and finished 18th (4-under par 212).

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