Kim Juhyung "Even Par Breather"... Hoblan 'Two-Day Leader'

Juhyung Kim 6th, 2 Shots Behind on Second Day of Hero World Challenge
Schauffele, Morikawa, Schofley, and Young Tied for 2nd
Thomas 7th, Rahm Tied 10th, Seongjae Lim Tied 13th

Kim Joo-hyung is teeing off at the 4th hole on the second day of the Hero World Challenge. Bahamas=AFP·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a breather for Kim Joo-hyung, ranked 15th in the world.

On the 2nd (local time), Kim Joo-hyung dropped to 6th place (3-under 141) on the second day of the Hero World Challenge (total prize money $3.5 million) held at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas (par 72, 7,414 yards) after failing to reduce his score. The Hero World Challenge is a special event hosted by the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA). Only 20 top-level players participate. Although it is not a regular PGA Tour event, the winner's prize is a whopping $1 million (1.3 billion KRW), and world ranking points are also at stake.

Kim Joo-hyung started tied for the lead by one stroke, exchanging three birdies and three bogeys. After a birdie on the 3rd hole (par 5) was canceled out by a bogey on the 5th hole (par 3), he sparked excitement by making two birdies on the 11th and 15th holes. However, consecutive bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes were disappointing. His fairway hit rate (61.54%) and greens in regulation (66.67%) remained around 60%. He is two strokes behind the leader and still in a position to aim for a comeback victory.

Defending champion Viktor Hovland (Norway) recorded one eagle, four birdies, and four bogeys. He leads for the second consecutive day (5-under 139). Known as the 'first Norwegian PGA champion,' he has three career wins and is widely known among domestic fans as the 'Taekwondo Boy,' a Taekwondo black belt. Four players?Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, and Cameron Young (all USA)?are tied for 2nd place (4-under 140) in pursuit.

Justin Thomas (USA) shot 2-under to rise to 7th place (2-under 142). Jon Rahm (Spain) and Tony Finau (USA) are tied for 10th place (even par 144), eyeing a move up the leaderboard. Im Sung-jae added 1-under to stand tied for 13th place (1-over 145). After making three strokes under par over 16 holes and progressing smoothly, he was hampered by a double bogey on the 17th hole (par 3).