South Korea’s Kim nearly makes two aces in grabbing PGA lead

Sparkling on the same course where he won his first PGA title four years ago, Kim fired an eight-under par 62 to stand on 18-under 192 after 54 holes at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Americans Rob Oppenheim, who shot 62, and Doc Redman, who fired a 63, shared second on 194 with countryman Billy Horschel another stroke adrift.

Kim is chasing a third US PGA title after his 2016 Wyndham win by five strokes over England’s Luke Donald and a 2017 Players Championship triumph.

Kim aced the par-3 third hole, the ball landing near the cup and making a small bounce before hopping into the hole.

He added short birdie putts at the fouth and fifth and answered a bogey at the par-3 seventh with a birdie at eight, then nearly smacked another hole-in-one at the par-3 12th.

Kim’s tee shot bounced twice, then the ball lipped off the edge of the cup and stopped 14 inches away, setting up a tap-in birdie.

Kim also ran off three birdies in a row at the par-5 15th from two feet, the par-3 16th from six feet and the par-4 17th after dropping his approach inches from the hole.

Americans Jim Herman, who fired a 61, and Mark Hubbard shared fifth on 196 with compatriots Peter Malnati and Webb Simpson on 197.

The event marks the final tournament of the US PGA regular-season, with the top 125 players in season points advancing to the FedEx Cup playoffs that begin next week at TPC Boston.

Kim stands 121st on the list but would jump into 30th with a victory. The top 30 in season points after two playoff events advance to the season-ending Tour Championship next month at East Lake in Atlanta.