American Express Day 2: Hoji 2nd, Zalatolis Tied 3rd, Ram, Im Sungjae, and Kim Siwoo Tied 32nd
Lee Kyung-hoon is reading the putting line on the 4th hole during the second day of the American Express. La Quinta, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Lee Kyung-hoon (31, CJ Logistics) faltered.
On the 22nd (Korean time), at La Quinta Golf Club (par 72, 7,060 yards) in La Quinta, California, USA, during the second day of the PGA Tour American Express (total prize money $7.6 million), he shot 1-under par and dropped to a tie for 24th place (9-under par 135). 'Playoff (PO) champ' Patrick Cantlay led for the second consecutive day (14-under par 130), and Tom Hoge (both from the USA) is chasing in second place, one stroke behind (13-under par 131).
The tournament is held over three rounds on three different courses: PGA West Stadium Course (par 72, 7,113 yards), Nicklaus Tournament Course (par 72, 7,159 yards), and another course, with the final day’s champion decided again at PGA West Stadium. Lee Kyung-hoon started tied for third place, two strokes behind the leader, and recorded four birdies and three bogeys. He was cruising with three strokes gained over 11 holes but made bogeys on the 12th hole (par 3) and 17th hole (par 4).
Patrick Cantlay is teeing off on the 18th hole on the second day of the American Express. La Quinta, USA = Getty Images / Multibits
His shots were shaky, with a fairway hit rate of only 42.86% and a greens in regulation rate of 55.56%. He averaged 1.80 putts per hole. He is five strokes behind the leader, still in a position to contend for his second win since last May’s AT&T Byron Nelson victory. Cantlay made six birdies (two bogeys) on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. His long drives averaged 297 yards, and his greens in regulation rate of 83.33% showcased his pinpoint iron shots. This is a chance to shake off the disappointment of finishing second in this tournament last year.
Will Zalatoris (USA) surged to a tie for third place (12-under par 132) with an 11-under par round on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. Four others, including Lanto Griffin and Cameron Young (both USA), are also in this group. World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) improved by two strokes but remained tied for 32nd place (8-under par 136). 'Oldest major champion' Phil Mickelson (USA) lost one more stroke and struggled at 155th place (7-over par 151).
Korea’s Im Sung-jae (24, CJ Logistics) posted 5-under par to climb to a tie for 32nd place. Defending champion Kim Si-woo (27, CJ Logistics) also improved by four strokes to join the tie for 32nd. On the other hand, Noh Seung-yul (31, Givent) dropped to a tie for 70th place (5-under par 139), needing a strong performance in the third round. Kang Sung-hoon (35, CJ Logistics) failed to improve his score with five birdies, one bogey, and one quadruple bogey, tied for 119th place (1-under par 143).
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