Kim Seong-hyun's 'Special Mission'... 'Raise the FedEx Cup Ranking'

Challenge to Enter FedEx Cup Top 70 at 3M Open
Currently Ranked 106th, Urgently Seeking Points for Top Ranking
Korea's Lee Kyung-hoon Ranked 112th, Noh Seung-yeol Ranked 170th Competing

A 'special mission' has been given to Kim Seong-hyun.

Kim Seong-hyun challenges for the victory at the 3M Open.

It is to boost his FedEx Cup ranking. From the 25th (local time), over four days, he will challenge for the title at the PGA Tour 3M Open (total prize money $8.1 million) held at TPC Twin Cities (par 71, 7,431 yards) in Blaine, Minnesota, USA. It is encouraging that not a single player ranked within the top 20 in the world is participating. Winning would be ideal, but securing as many points as possible in the top ranks is essential.

The PGA Tour will enter the playoffs (PO) after the 3M Open and the Wyndham Championship (August 8-11, total prize money $7.9 million). To qualify for the playoffs, players must be ranked within the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings. This guarantees not only a large prize money but also entry into major tournaments the following year and most other events. Currently, Kim Seong-hyun is ranked 106th in the FedEx Cup standings. If he fails to break into the top 70, he will miss the playoffs and face another fierce competition in the fall series to secure his playing rights for next year. Besides Kim Seong-hyun, Korea has Lee Kyeong-hoon ranked 112th and Noh Seung-yeol ranked 170th.

The competition for the title is fierce. Contenders include Keegan Bradley, ranked 21st in the world and captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team; Akshay Bhatia, who has won twice this year; Billy Horschel, runner-up at The Open; Nick Dunlap, who won the American Express as an amateur and turned pro, then won again at the Barracuda Championship on the 22nd; Tony Finau, the 2022 3M Open champion (all from the U.S.); and Cameron Davis, Mortgage Classic champion from Australia. The defending champion and FedEx Cup 73rd ranked Lee Hodges (U.S.) aims for back-to-back titles and a playoff spot simultaneously.