Siwoo Kim "American Express Title Defense"... World No.1 Rahm Competes

Clash with Ram at the Third Stage of the 2022 PGA Tour, 'PO Champ' Cantlay and Mickelson Join the Victory Race

Siwoo Kim has stepped up to defend his title at the American Express.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-joon] It is Kim Si-woo's (27) ‘title defense’.

On the night of the 20th (Korean time), the American Express (total prize money $7.6 million) of the PGA Tour will be held at the La Quinta PGA West Stadium Course (par 72, 7,113 yards) in California, USA, a fierce battleground. World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) has thrown down the gauntlet, heating up the atmosphere. ‘Playoff (PO) champion’ Patrick Cantlay and the ‘oldest major champion’ Phil Mickelson (both USA) have joined the competition for the title.

Kim Si-woo won his first PGA Tour title at the Wyndham Championship in August 2016 and instantly rose to global stardom by winning ‘the 5th major’ The Players Championship in March 2017. Last year, he secured his third career win at this tournament after 3 years and 8 months. It is interesting that the pro-am format involves playing alongside amateur golfers on three different courses during the first three rounds: La Quinta (par 72, 7,060 yards) and the Nicklaus Tournament (par 72, 7,159 yards).

On the final day, the competition for the championship continues again at the Stadium Course. Last year, due to the impact of COVID-19, amateur golfers were excluded, and only two courses, the Nicklaus Tournament and the Stadium, were used. Attention should be paid to Kim Si-woo’s ‘winning stronghold’ where he shot 8-under par on the final day. This time, he is challenging a rare record of back-to-back wins for the first time in 46 years since Johnny Miller (USA, 1975?1976). Korea has sent a full squad including Im Sung-jae (24), Lee Kyoung-hoon (31), Kang Sung-hoon (35), and Noh Seung-yul (32).

World No.1 Jon Rahm is set to compete at the American Express.

Locally, Rahm’s ‘march to victory’ is the biggest point of interest. Last June, he became the first Spanish player to win the ‘US Open Championship’ and entered the top 10 an impressive 15 times in 22 tournaments. This year, he also showed his presence by finishing 2nd at the Sentry Tournament that ended on the 10th. Although he posted a remarkable 33-under par including 12-under par on the third day, his momentum was halted by Cameron Smith’s (Australia) divine play (34-under par), leaving some regret.

Cantlay is especially seeking revenge after finishing 2nd by one stroke last year. He recalls the sweet memory of setting a course record of 11-under par in the final 4th round. While ‘Sony Open champion’ Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) is resting, Russell Henley, who finished runner-up after an extended playoff, is back at the starting line. Experts have pointed to ‘twist swing’ Matthew Wolff and 2020/2021 Rookie of the Year Will Zalatoris (both USA) as dark horses.

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