Si Woo Kim nearly took the torch from K.H. Lee to make it three straight South Korean champions at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Rounds of 65-66-68-63 left Kim in a tie for second place and a shot behind Jason Day.
Kim was a short-game maestro, scrambling at a 22-for-22 clip and going 4-for-4 on sand saves.
He was second in the field in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (4.505) and sixth in SG: Approach (5.684).
“I think it was a great week, especially this is my kind of second hometown,” Kim was transcribed by ASAP Sports. “It feels great to play great at home week.”
As Kim referred to, he’s a Dallas resident and is plenty familiar with the venue, TPC Craig Ranch.
The 28-year-old is flashing great form this spring. He owns six straight top-30s, several of which have been at big events like the Players Championship (T-6th).
Kim is rested after taking the week off following T-18th at another Signature Event, the RBC Heritage.
Kim ranks well above average on the PGA Tour in all SG categories except for putting. Fortunately, he’s 29th in SG: Approach, which should help cut down on those treacherously long lag putts that lurk at TPC Craig Ranch if you’re not precise.
He’s also 10th in SG: Total (1.026) and 11th in SG: Off-the-Tee (.558).
Kim is third in driving accuracy (79.18%). That facet isn’t as big of an advantage this week as, say, at a Harbour Town, but it can help him maneuver to the right angles to best attack the greens.