Kim holds onto lead at Texas Open
SAN ANTONIO: South Korea’s Kim Si-woo will take a slender one-shot advantage into the final round of the Valero Texas Open after a birdie on the 18th hole left him within sight of a wire-to-wire victory on Saturday.
Kim, who had started the day four shots clear, had gradually been reeled in by Canada’s Corey Conners as he struggled to adjust to steady rain and gusty winds at TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Oaks Course.
However the 23-year-old from Seoul steadied himself on the back nine, and delivered a birdie on the long par-five 18th to post a three-under-par 69 to move one shot clear of the field heading into Sunday’s final round at 15 under.
“It was a tough day, rain and wind early on,” said Kim. “But the weather got better and I played better. I felt a little bit of pressure but it feels great and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Conners meanwhile put himself into contention after carding a six-under-par 66 which left him at 14 under after 54 holes.
Conners, who is yet to taste victory on the PGA Tour, could complete a remarkable week on Sunday if he is able to claim the his first title.
The 27-year-old is only playing in San Antonio this week after battling through qualifiers last Monday, winning a six-way playoff to book his place in the field.
A win on Sunday would leave Conners $1.35 million richer, and earn him a ticket to next week’s Masters in Augusta.
“I’ve managed my game really well, struck the ball really solidly, got myself out of trouble,” Conners said. “It’s a tricky golf course and ball striking is really important. I feel like I’ve been really solid with all of that.”
Conners and Kim spent most of the day locked in a duel for the lead.
Early on, Kim could only watch as the birdies dried up and Conners chipped away at his lead with five birdies and four pars over the front nine.
After opening with a bogey, Kim could only make two birdies before the turn to leave him locked with Conners down the stretch.
A birdie on the par-four 10th moved Kim to 14 under overall while Conners could only bogey. - AFP