Thomas "3 Under Par in Strong Winds"..."Marching Toward First Ever Back-to-Back Wins at the Tournament~"

'The 5th Major' The Players Day 3 "Still Bad Weather", Kim Si-woo Faces 'Cut Off' Risk

Justin Thomas is examining the putting line on the 15th hole during the remaining second-round play on the third day of The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major." Ponte Vedra Beach, USA = Getty Images / MultiBits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "After heavy rain, now strong winds."

Defending champion Justin Thomas (USA) shot 3-under par in the remaining second round on the 13th (Korean time) at the Sawgrass TPC in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (par 72, 7,256 yards), during the PGA Tour's "fifth major," The Players Championship (total prize money $20 million), rising to a tie for 15th place (3-under 141). This is a strong position for a historic challenge to defend the title for the first time since the tournament's inception in 1974. Tommy Fleetwood (England) managed to hold the top of the leaderboard (6-under) by playing even par over three holes.

Thomas made a double bogey when his second shot at the last 18th hole (par 4) of the first round, where he was cruising at 2-under, landed in the water. He finished the first round at even par but then surged with 3-under in the second round. It is noteworthy that the weather caused multiple suspensions and resumptions from the first day due to bad weather, and strong winds joined in on this day. He made exactly three birdies at the 16th hole (par 5), the 2nd hole in the back nine (par 5), and the 5th hole (par 4). His green hit rate was 77.78%, showcasing his "computer iron shots."

Fleetwood exchanged a birdie at the 2nd hole (par 5) for a bogey at the 3rd hole (par 3) and was caught by sunset. Another co-leader, Tom Hoge (USA), has yet to start his second round, and most players are waiting. The leaders include Genesis Invitational champion Joaqu?n Niemann (Chile) and Anirban Lahiri (India) tied for 3rd place (5-under), and Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Cameron Smith (Australia) and Kramer Hickok (USA) tied for 6th place (4-under).

Siwoo Kim is attempting a trouble shot on the 14th hole during the remaining second-round play on the third day of The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major." Ponte Vedra Beach, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) joined the tie for 15th place. The entire second round remains. From Korea, Lee Kyoung-hoon (31) is tied for 23rd with a 2-under score in the first round. Im Sung-jae (24) is tied for 55th (even par), while Kim Si-woo (27) is likely to be cut off after struggling with 4-over in the first round and 3-over in 17 holes of the second round, totaling 7-over and falling to a tie for 119th place. No. 2 Collin Morikawa (USA) also finished only tied for 104th place (4-over).

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