'Special Temporary Member' Kim Juhyung "3 Under Par on Rocket Mortgage First Day"..."PGA Tour Seed in Sight"

PGA Tour Recently Excludes 'LIV Golf Joiners' from PO Rankings, Currently 123rd with a 'Cheong Signal', Finau Leads at 8 Under Par

Kim Joo-hyung is looking at the ball immediately after the tee shot on the 9th hole on the first day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics), ranked 39th in the world, has taken one step closer to securing a 'PGA Tour direct ticket.'

After winning the Singapore International in January and becoming the 'Asian Tour money leader,' he moved to the United States to challenge entry into the World League. This season, as a non-member, he has participated in seven tournaments, making it to the main rounds six times and already earning the status of 'Special Temporary Member.' His highlight was finishing third at the Scottish Open on the 11th. He showcased exceptional power in a star-studded event featuring top players like No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA).

He tied for 26th at the 3M Open, which ended on the 25th, and currently ranks 131st (327 points) in the unofficial Playoff (PO) rankings. If he breaks into the 'Top 125' at the Rocket Mortgage Classic (total prize money $8.4 million), which opened on the 28th at Detroit Golf Club in Michigan, USA (par 72, 7,370 yards), and next week's regular season finale Wyndham Championship ($7.3 million), his PGA Tour card for the 2023 season will be guaranteed. He is only 16 points behind 125th-ranked Webb Simpson (USA, 343 points), so the possibility is high.

Recently, there has been more good news. The PGA Tour revoked the Playoff (PO) eligibility of eight players, including Taylor Gooch, who joined LIV Golf led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Webb Simpson, previously 125th, surged to 117th (343 points), and Stephan Jaeger (Germany) moved into 125th place (318 points). Kim Joo-hyung also moved up to 123rd. Additional exclusions are expected for Paul Casey (England), Jason Kokrak, and Charles Howell III (both USA), who will appear in the third LIV Golf event on the 29th.

Tony Finau is walking along the 9th hole on the first day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz
Photo by Multivitz

On the first day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Kim Joo-hyung shot 3-under par to tie for 33rd place. He made five birdies and two bogeys, with his 'precise iron shots' missing the green only three times standing out. Locally, the spotlight was on Tony Finau (USA) as he pursued his 'second consecutive win.' He successfully overturned a five-stroke deficit to win the 3M Open on the 25th and accelerated by shooting 8-under par that day. Taylor Pendrith (Canada) is tied for the lead, and Simpson is tied for third (6-under par, 66 strokes).

The Korean contingent is led by Kim Si-woo (27), who is tied for 8th place (5-under par, 67 strokes). Defending champion Cameron Davis (Australia) is tied for 22nd (4-under par, 68 strokes). It is interesting that top contenders like 'PO champion' Patrick Cantlay and Will Zalatoris (both USA) are struggling. Both players had difficulties on the greens and are tied for 53rd (2-under par, 70 strokes). Kang Sung-hoon (35) is tied for 33rd, and Noh Seung-yeol (32) is tied for 79th (1-under par, 71 strokes).

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