LA QUINTA (Cali) — Tom Kim, a week after a disappointing miss cut at the Sony Open, Hawaii, has found his game and is now on the American Express leaderboard.
Kim continued Friday’s 10-under 62 victory on Nicklaus Tournament Course with a solid 5-under 67 performance on the more difficult Stadium Course at PGA West. Kim, who was a great player on the International Team of the Presidents Cup last season, is now 18-under for the week.
The round could have been stalled Saturday if Kim didn’t make a great drive on the 12th hole.
“A hundred percent. It was a difficult situation. Kim stated that I didn’t hit a good 2-iron off of the tee. Kim said, “I pulled it left in the bunker literally one hundred yards right. I put myself in a position that I couldn’t be. I was on a Bogey Train (bogeys at 10th and 11th hole).
The round was saved by the recovery shot from the bunker.
Kim stated, “Hitting a really great wedge shot from the bunker in order to give myself a birdie chance and making that putt kinda calmed down me a bit to just cruise through the back nine.”
Kim was disappointed at missing the cut at the Sony but used it to learn that he must play better and take better care of his game if he is to be a consistent contender for the PGA Tour.
“I try to follow my game plan. I don’t like to think about it. Kim stated, “If you play well golf, everything will be taken care of.” Kim said, “So I just try and play my game. Joe in the bag helps me stick to my game plan.
Flirting With 59
It was one those rounds where you can get lost in the haze from birdies at the American Express. But Dylan Wu’s 11 under 61 on Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West is worthy of some merit.
The tournament’s low round record on the Nicklaus Course was tied with the 61. Will Zalatoris set the record last year for the second round. Wu’s round was interesting because he had two holes left and was at 11-under. That would have meant that he had two closing birdies, which would have given him eight consecutive birdies. He would have shot 59.
Wu instead hit his tee shot at 60 feet on the par-3 8th, his 17th hole, and managed a par with a two-putt. Wu parred the par-4 9th hole after that. This gave Wu the lowest round of the three-day tournament, but he moved up to 17 under. He is six shots behind Davis Thompson and Jon Rahm.
“Just played well from the tee to the green. A few putts. Wu stated that he played solid golf. “I didn’t have much stress except for 18. Hole 9: I made a great shot, and it went in to the water. It was impossible to reach. It was a wonderful day overall.”
American Express Aztecs
Volunteers from Palm Desert High School’s band and color guard will be at the concession stand at this week’s American Express tournament looking for donations to support school activities. Volunteers are located in the stands directly behind the resort clubhouse of PGA West, which is between the back of a clubhouse and 18th green on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. This stand was busy throughout the week, especially before Friday’s Gwen Stefani concert.
SportFive is on the leaderboard
SportFive (formerly Lagardere) was a part of the American Express’s turnaround in terms of strength of field. They were first consultants, and then they became operations managers. SportFive represented Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm, when they started playing in this tournament. SportFive also represents players and runs many tournaments. SportFive has many clients, including golfers like Rahm who have been following the American Express leaderboard this week.
