Johnson Takes Lead with "5-Under Par Spurt~"... Kim Siwoo Tied for 13th Place

PGA Championship Day 3: Champion and Scheffler Tied 2nd, Koepka Tied 4th in 'March for 3rd Consecutive Win', Woods Tied 59th Falters

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] It is the 'Moving Day Spurt' of Dustin Johnson (USA), ranked 5th in the world.

On the 9th (Korean time), at Harding Park TPC in San Francisco, California, USA (Par 70, 7,234 yards), the third day of the PGA Championship, a major on the PGA Tour with a total prize of $11 million, Johnson surged with a 5-under-par round to take a one-stroke lead at 9-under-par 201. Cameron Champ (USA) and Scottie Scheffler (USA) are tied for second at 8-under-par 202, while defending champion Brooks Koepka (USA) is tied for fourth at 7-under-par 203, aiming for a 'third consecutive win.'

Johnson recorded eight birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. He started well with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 4), followed by consecutive birdies on the 4th and 5th holes. Although he made a bogey on the 6th hole (par 4), he recovered with a birdie on the 7th hole (par 4). The double bogey on the 9th hole (par 4), after struggling in the rough and bunker with a '4-on 2-putt,' was a setback. He bounced back with a birdie on the 10th hole (par 4), then regained momentum with consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes. He finished on a high note with a birdie on the 17th hole (par 3).

Johnson was the winner of the Travelers Championship just last June. Since the Turning Stone Resort Championship in 2008, he has won at least once every year, building a remarkable record of '13 consecutive seasons with a win.' He is now aiming for his second win of the season and his first major championship of the 2020 season. Meanwhile, Koepka is attracting the spotlight locally. Having successfully defended his title last year, he is challenging a historic record of three consecutive wins for the first time in 83 years since Walter Hagen (1924-1927) achieved four consecutive victories.

'The Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau is tied for 7th place (6-under-par 204). On the other hand, world number one Justin Thomas is tied for 34th place (1-under-par 209). The 'Returned Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (all USA) has also fallen away from the winning group, tied for 59th place (2-over-par 212). Among the Korean contingent, Kim Si-woo is performing well, tied for 13th place (5-under-par 205). An Byeong-hun (29) is tied for 59th, and Kang Sung-hoon (33, both from CJ Logistics) dropped seven strokes to tie for 78th place (7-over-par 217).

Tiger Woods is taking a shot on the 16th hole during the third day of the PGA Championship. San Francisco, California, USA - Getty Images / Photo by Multibitz