Thomas "Tied 6th, 5 Shots Behind"... Title Defense?

CJ Cup Day 3: Henry Leads by 3 Shots with 4-Under Par, Shopliffe Tied for 2nd, Kim Siwoo Tied for 28th

Justin Thomas (right) is preparing for a shot on the 2nd hole on the third day of The CJ Cup. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It's Justin Thomas (USA)'s 'Moving Day Spurt.'

On the 18th (Korean time), at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (par 72, 7,634 yards), during the third day of the PGA Tour The CJ Cup (total prize money $9.75 million), he shot 4-under par to rise to a tie for 6th place (10-under par 206). Russell Henley leads by 3 strokes (15-under par 201), with Xander Schauffele, Lanto Griffin, Taylor Gooch, and Jason Kokrak (all USA) chasing in a tie for 2nd place (12-under par 204).

Thomas is the defending champion. In 2017, he became the inaugural champion after a fierce battle with Mark Leishman (Australia) that went to the second playoff hole, and last year he secured a 2-stroke victory. Starting the day tied for 8th place, 8 strokes behind, he recorded 6 birdies and 2 bogeys. It was unfortunate that he stumbled with an even-par first round. For now, he has secured a position to compete for the championship on the final day. "My shots were really good today," he said, "I think there will be opportunities," showing his fighting spirit.

World No. 4 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) surged with a 6-under par round to sit tied for 10th place (8-under par 208). His aggressive play, including 8 birdies (2 bogeys), stood out. He relied on an average of 1.50 putts per hole, a 'stingy putting' performance. Jon Rahm (Spain) added 3-under par to follow in a tie for 14th place (7-under par 209). 2018 champion Brooks Koepka (USA) remained tied for 18th place (6-under par 210).

Korea's Kim Si-woo (25) is performing well, tied for 28th place (4-under par 212). An Byeong-hun (29, both CJ Logistics) is tied for 38th place (2-under par 214), Kim Han-byeol (24) and Kim Sung-hyun (22) are tied for 45th place (even par 216), Im Sung-jae (22) is tied for 58th place (3-over par 219), Kim Joo-hyung (19) and Ham Jeong-woo (26) are tied for 64th place (4-over par 220), Lee Kyung-hoon (29) is 69th (5-over par 221), Lee Jae-kyung (21) is 72nd (8-over par 224), Kang Sung-hoon (33) is tied for 74th (10-over par 226), and Lee Tae-hee (36) is 78th (16-over par 232).