K.H. Lee from Korea Powers into Title Contention at Farmers Insurance Open
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Synopsis
K.H. Lee has made impressive strides at the Farmers Insurance Open, rising to tied fourth place with a 4-under 68 in the third round. His performance positions him well for a potential third PGA TOUR victory.
Key Takeaways
- K.H. Lee tied for fourth place with a 4-under 68.
- He is four strokes behind leader Harris English.
- Lee's iron play has significantly improved, boosting his chances.
- Sungjae Im finished with a 72, maintaining pressure on the leaderboard.
- Weather conditions may impact players in the final round.
San Diego (USA), Jan 25 (NationPress) K.H. Lee from Korea has transformed his challenging course into a competitive arena after soaring into a tied fourth position with a remarkable third-round score of 4-under 68 at the Farmers Insurance Open on Friday.
The 33-year-old Lee has positioned himself perfectly to vie for his third PGA TOUR title at the South Course of Torrey Pines in San Diego, California, as his total score of 5-under leaves him only four strokes behind the 54-hole leader, Harris English (66).
His fellow countryman, Sungjae Im, secured three birdies in a row to finish with a resolute 72, placing him just a shot behind in the prestigious USD 9.3 million event, while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, an 11-time TOUR champion, managed a 70 to land at 3-under.
In his past four appearances, Lee, who clinched victory at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson in both 2021 and 2022, faced early exits at this famed venue. However, significant enhancements in his iron game have propelled him into contention.
“The effort I’ve been investing in my game is gradually yielding results, and I’m feeling optimistic. It’s truly rewarding to perform well at Torrey Pines, which presents a tough challenge. I’m eagerly anticipating tomorrow,” expressed Lee, who ranks third in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green after three rounds.
With his signature straight driving—missing only two fairways—Lee’s putting was also impressive, scoring six birdies against two bogeys. He drained long putts of 24 feet and 26 feet on Hole Nos. 5 and 13, and achieved 4/6 for Scrambling. He had previously missed the cut in his initial two outings of the season.
“I’m pleased with my round. I drove the ball nicely and putted exceptionally well, sinking a couple of long ones for birdies. Overall, shooting 4-under felt great. I’m just a few strokes off the leader, which is a favorable position heading into the final round. It’s crucial to keep the ball in play here. I’ll adhere to my strategy and aim to create an opportunity tomorrow,” added Lee.
Im, who boasts two top-10 finishes at Torrey Pines, faced difficulties early on with three bogeys through 15 holes but managed a strong finish, nearly acing the par-3 16th hole and sinking additional birdies from about eight feet to stay in touch with the leader.
“Overall, it wasn’t a great day for me. I made several errors and missed birdie chances, and I failed to save pars on the back nine, making it a tough round. However, I finished strong with back-to-back birdies on the last three holes, which gives me something to build on for tomorrow,” remarked Im, a two-time TOUR champion.
“The weather is likely to be a bit chilly and windy tomorrow, which will pose a challenge for everyone. I’ll concentrate on my game and avoid being overly ambitious. Then, I’ll see how things unfold. The South Course is always tough, but today the winds were manageable.”
