Final Signature Event: Travelers Championship Awaits
Last Year, Kim Juhyung Led for Three Days but Lost in Playoff
Scheffler and US Open Champion Spaun Emerge as Strong Favorites
Kim Juhyung is seeking redemption.
On June 19 (local time), he will compete in the Travelers Championship, part of the US PGA Tour, held at TPC River Highlands (par 70, 6,844 yards) in Cromwell, Connecticut. This tournament is the final event among the eight signature events on the PGA Tour, each offering a total purse of $20 million.
Last year, Kim Juhyung had to settle for a disappointing runner-up finish at this event. He led the field from rounds one to three, but was forced into a playoff by Scottie Scheffler (USA) in the final round. On the first playoff hole, the 18th (par 4), he made a bogey and lost. Attention is focused on whether Kim Juhyung, who missed his chance at a fourth PGA Tour victory, can achieve redemption this year.
Kim Juhyung, who has been working on refining his swing, has shown a somewhat subdued performance this season. His only top-10 finish so far was a tie for seventh at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. Before this tournament, he played in 16 events and missed the cut five times. At last week's major, the US Open, he finished tied for 33rd.
Scottie Scheffler is aiming for back-to-back victories. This season, he has already won The CJ Cup Byron Nelson last month, the major PGA Championship, and the signature event Memorial Tournament earlier this month. He finished tied for seventh at the US Open. Out of 13 events this year, he has finished in the top 10 on 10 occasions. He was also ranked number one in the power rankings for this tournament on the PGA Tour website.
World number two Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), who resolved recent driver issues at the US Open, and world number three Xander Schauffele (USA), the 2022 champion at this event, are also considered top contenders. Last week's US Open champion, J.J. Spaun (USA), is aiming for consecutive wins. Among Korean players, Im Sungjae, Kim Siwoo, and An Byeonghun will join Kim Juhyung in the field.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
