Kim Juhyung's Breather "Tied 21st, 8 Shots Behind"... 'Number 5' Johnson Tied 14th

'Asian Tour Special Match' Saudi International Day 2: Barner 3rd and Arnaus Tied for Lead, Smith and Wolf Tied for 3rd in 'Chasing Battle'

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a breather for Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics, photo), the 'Asian Tour money leader.'

On the 5th (Korean time), at the Royal Greens Golf Club (par 70, 7,048 yards) in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, the second day of the Asian Tour 2022/2023 season opener PIF Saudi International (total prize money $5 million) saw Kim falter with a 3-over-par, dropping to a tie for 21st place (2-under-par 138). Harold Varner III (USA) and Adri Arnaus (Spain) share the lead (10-under-par 130), while Cameron Smith (Australia) and Matthew Wolff (USA) are tied for third (8-under-par 132).

Kim struggled amid strong winds blowing in the afternoon. Starting from a tie for 7th place, 3 strokes behind the leader, he managed only one birdie but made four bogeys. He lost two strokes in the front nine with bogeys on the 3rd and 8th holes (both par 3s), and although he seemed to shift momentum with a birdie on the 10th hole (par 4) in the back nine, consecutive bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes caused him to collapse. Fortunately, he made par on the remaining five holes. He is now 8 strokes behind the leader, making a comeback victory difficult.

Varner III and Arnaus both shot 4-under-par rounds to dominate the top of the leaderboard. Smith also reduced his score by 4 strokes, joining the race for the title. Tommy Fleetwood (England) is 5th (7-under-par 133), Bubba Watson tied for 6th (6-under-par 134), and 'Tokyo Olympic gold medalist' Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed (both USA) are tied for 9th (5-under-par 135). Matteo Manassero (Italy), who led the previous day, lost 3 strokes and dropped to a tie for 9th.

Dustin Johnson is reading the putting line on the 18th hole on the second day of the Saudi International. King Abdullah Economic City (Saudi) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

World No. 5 and defending champion Dustin Johnson and 'oldest major champion' Phil Mickelson (both USA) are tied for 14th (4-under-par 136). From Korea, Kim Bi-o (32, Hoban Construction) is performing well, tied for 21st. Kim Hong-taek (29, Volvik) is tied for 60th (3-over-par 143), and Seo Yo-seop (26, DB Insurance) and Jang Yi-geun (29, Shinhan Financial Group) are tied for 66th (4-over-par 144), advancing to the third round. On the other hand, Moon Do-yeop (31, DB Insurance) was cut off, tied for 76th (5-over-par 145).

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