Ram vs Thomas "Who is the final winner?"... Woods "1-under par falters"

On the Third Day of the Zozo Championship, '1-Stroke Victory Battle', Woods Ranks 68th "83rd Win March Halted", Korea's Im Sung-jae Tied for 25th Place

Justin Thomas shows disappointment as his birdie putt misses on the 18th hole during the third day of the Zozo Championship. Thousand Oaks, California, USA = Photo by Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain) vs. No. 3 Justin Thomas (USA).

Thomas took the lead. On the 25th (Korean time) at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California (par 72, 7,006 yards), during the third day of the PGA Tour Zozo Championship (total prize money $8 million), Thomas added 5 under par to maintain the top spot on the leaderboard (19 under par, 197 strokes). Rahm is in second place, one stroke behind (18 under par, 198 strokes). Defending champion Tiger Woods (USA) is tied for 68th place (3 under par, 213 strokes), effectively ending his challenge for the PGA Tour record of most wins (83 wins).

Thomas recorded six birdies and one bogey. He had a strong start with consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2. He made a birdie on the 7th hole (par 4), and his only bogey came on the 8th hole (par 3), but he recovered with three birdies on the back nine at holes 11 (par 5), 16, and 17. Rahm energized the field with a '9 under par daily best' performance. He made an eagle with a '2-on 1-putt' on the 5th hole (par 5) and collected seven birdies. His pinpoint iron shots, missing the green only three times, stood out, complemented by an average of 1.47 putts per hole, demonstrating his precise putting.

In the leading group, Lanto Griffin (USA) is watching for an opportunity from third place, two strokes behind (17 under par, 199 strokes). Woods continued his 'rollercoaster play.' After a 4-over par on the first day and a 6-under par on the second day to change momentum, his putting faltered again today, resulting in just 1 under par. From Korea, Im Sung-jae (22) is performing well, tied for 25th place (11 under par, 205 strokes). An Byeong-hun (29, both from CJ Logistics) improved by five strokes but remains tied for 48th place (7 under par, 209 strokes).