Kim, Rose and Kirk charge into PGA hunt as McIlroy starts his third round
American Michael Kim birdied six of the first seven holes to leap into contention in the third round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink (Michael Reaves) Michael Kim birdied six of the first seven holes to charge into contention in Saturday's third round of the PGA Championship as Rory McIlroy teed off at suddenly vulnerable Aronimink. Kim, who closed Friday with an eagle to jump inside the cut line, birdied the first three holes and followed a bogey with three more in a row to reach two-under for the tournament. Kim's 30 on the front nine was followed by a double-bogey at the 10th hole, dropping him back to level par overall.
The 32-year-old, Seoul-born standout won last year's French Open on the DP World Tour and his only PGA Tour title at the 2018 John Deere Classic. Kim has made the cut in only five of 12 major starts, his best result sharing 17th as low amateur in his major debut at the 2013 US Open. Fellow American Chris Kirk birdied five of the first seven holes to stand on one-under overall with a 31 on the front nine.
England's 45-year-old Justin Rose, the 2013 US Open winner at nearby Merion, birdied four of the first six holes to reach one-under. Rose birdied the third through seventh holes for the longest birdie streak of the week, matching his best run in any PGA Championship. After two days of wind and difficult pin placements had kept the leaders bunched, a breakout day appeared in the works over the sloped greens of the 7,934-yard layout.
American co-leaders Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley were set to start at 2:40 p. m (1840 GMT) on four-under par 136 as targets for a world-class field. A record prize purse of $20.
5 million was announced Saturday by the PGA of America, $1. 5 million more than last year. The winner will take home $3.