Tokyo Olympics Men's Golf Day 2 Stagnant, Schauffele 8-Under Par Daily Best, Home Course Matsuyama Tied 3rd
Kim Si-woo is watching the ball immediately after a bunker shot on the 4th hole of the men's golf second round at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo by International Golf Federation
[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) faces tough competition for a medal.
On the 30th, at Kasumigaseki Golf Club in Saitama Prefecture, Japan (Par 71, 7,447 yards), the second day of the Tokyo Olympic men's golf event saw him falter to even par, dropping to a tie for 25th place (3-under 139). World No. 5 Xander Schauffele (USA) surged with an 8-under round to take the top spot on the leaderboard at 11-under 131. Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) is one stroke behind in second place (10-under 132), while Jeff Straka (Austria) and three others share third place (8-under 134).
Kim Si-woo started tied for 12th but exchanged two birdies for two bogeys. Consecutive bogeys on holes 6 and 13 made for a rough path. Fortunately, back-to-back birdies on holes 14 and 15 helped him recover some ground. "Like yesterday, the front nine didn't go well," he said, adding, "My shot feel isn't bad." He also stated, "Any position outside third place in the Olympics doesn't really matter," and vowed, "I will attack aggressively starting tomorrow."
Schauffele recorded the daily best with two eagles, six birdies, and two bogeys. Locally, attention is focused on home course player Hideki Matsuyama (Japan). With some players' rounds postponed, Matsuyama is 6-under through 16 holes, joining the group tied for third. Rory McIlroy (Ireland) is tied for seventh (7-under 135), while top favorite Collin Morikawa (USA) struggled at 1-under, tied for 25th. Korea's Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) is tied for 51st (1-over 143).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
