Siwoo Kim 'PGA Power'... "Chasing 3rd place by 2 strokes in Korean Tour"

Siwoo Kim Shoots 6-Under Par on Second Day of Shinhan Donghae Open
Kawishiribandit Leads, ‘Japan’s Top Earner’ Higa in 2nd
Sanghee Lee Tied 6th, ‘Three-Week Winning Streak Bid’ Yosub Seo Tied 44th

[Asia Economy Reporter Seohee Lee] It is Kim Siwoo's (27) ‘PGA power’.

Kim Si-woo is putting on the 3rd hole on the second day of the Shinhan Donghae Open. Photo by Shinhan Financial Group

On the 9th, at the Koma Country Club (par 71) in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan, during the second day of the 38th Shinhan Donghae Open (total prize money 1.4 billion KRW) on the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour, Kim Siwoo surged with a 6-under-par round to rise to 3rd place (12-under-par 130 strokes). Thirawat Kawin Siriwanit (Thailand) leads with 14-under-par 128 strokes, and Kazuki Higa (Japan), the ‘No.1 money winner in Japan,’ is in 2nd place (13-under-par 129 strokes). Due to severe weather followed by sunset, many players could not finish their rounds, so the remaining rounds will be played on the morning of the 10th, followed by the 3rd round.

Starting from a tie for 4th place, 3 strokes behind, Kim Siwoo collected 7 birdies (1 bogey). Kim Siwoo, who plays on the PGA Tour, appeared in this tournament for the first time in 12 years. It is his first Korean Tour participation in 6 years since the 2016 Hyundai Insurance Choi Kyung-Ju Invitational. Kim Siwoo exclaimed, "I am seeing the effect of the long putter I used for the first time in this tournament," adding, "I hardly made any short-distance putting mistakes."

Kim Siwoo continued, "Although the greens are soft and it’s easy to score, everyone’s scores are amazing," and said, "I think you need to shoot 22-under-par or better to win," showing his determination by stating, "My goal is still to win." Lee Tae-hoon (Canada), who was the leader the previous day, reduced 2 strokes over 13 holes and is smoothly moving in a tie for 4th place (11-under-par). Lee Sang-hee (30) jumped to a tie for 6th place (10-under-par 132 strokes) with 5 birdies and no bogeys. Heo In-hoe (35) also joined this group.

Kim Han-byul (26) and Moon Do-yeop (31) are tied for 13th place (8-under-par 134 strokes), while Kim Joon-sung (31) and Jang Dong-gyu (34) are tied for 21st place (7-under-par 135 strokes). Seo Yo-seop (26), who is challenging for the first-ever 3 consecutive wins and title defense in Korean Tour history, reduced 3 strokes but remained tied for 44th place (5-under-par 137 strokes). Two-time champion Kim Bi-o (32) is tied for 60th place (4-under-par 138 strokes). On the other hand, Hwang Jung-gon (30) and Park Sang-hyun (39) struggled, tied for 94th place (1-under-par 141 strokes).