"Number 1" Johnson's Brake: "Tied 3rd, 6 Strokes Behind"... Hadley Leads by 4 Strokes

Palmetto Championship Day 3: English in 2nd Place, Im Sung-jae Tied 52nd After 1-Over Par on 17 Holes

Dustin Johnson is making a bunker shot on the 12th hole during the third day of the Palmetto Championship. Ridgeland, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The world No.1 Dustin Johnson (USA) has been held back.

On the 13th (Korean time), at the RidgeLand Congaree Golf Club (par 71, 7,655 yards) in South Carolina, USA, during the third day of the PGA Tour Palmetto Championship (total prize money $7.3 million), Johnson lost one stroke over 17 holes and slipped to a tie for 3rd place (8 under par). Chesson Hadley leads by 4 strokes (14 under par), with Harris English (both USA) in 2nd place (10 under par). Due to bad weather followed by sunset, four players could not finish the final 18th hole.

Starting 2 strokes behind in 2nd place, Johnson recorded 3 birdies and 4 bogeys. He got off to a good start with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 5), but bogeys on the 5th and 8th holes caused him to lose one stroke in the front nine. In the back nine, after a bogey on the 13th hole (par 4), he sparked momentum with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, but bogeyed the 17th hole (par 4) and then had to suspend his round due to worsening weather. His powerful driving was notable, with an average drive distance of 347.4 yards.

However, his fairway hit rate and greens in regulation remained in the 60% range. He is 6 strokes behind the leader, making a comeback victory not easy. Bo Van Pelt (USA) and Tyrrell Hatton (England) are tied for 5th place (7 under par, 206 strokes), and Danny Lee (New Zealand) among seven players tied for 7th place (6 under par, 207 strokes). From Korea, Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) exchanged 4 birdies and 4 bogeys, placing tied for 52nd (1 over par, 214 strokes). An Byeong-hun (30, CJ Logistics) finished tied for 59th place (3 over par, 216 strokes).