On Friday, Si Woo Kim carded a bogey-free 66 and will take a four-shot lead into the weekend at the Valero Texas Open.
The 23-year old Korean finished his second day at TPC San Antonio with four birdies and a hole-in-one on the par-3 16th hole en route to a two-day score of 12-under par.
Afterwards, Kim gave an assist to the wind for his eagle-1.
“This wind’s kind of like tough, like left and I’m playing always draw ball, but the pin’s tight right and then right at the bunker,” said Kim, talking about his ace.
“I’m just trying start left edge of the bunker. Hit it like really good and then wind’s kind of come in. Perfect number, too.”
A group of six players were tied for second-place at 8-under par, including Jordan Spieth, who posted a second-straight 68 highlighted by a hole-out eagle on the par-5 8th hole (his 17th of day).
Despite another shaky day off the tee (6 of 14), Spieth made up for it for it by taking advantage of the par-5s.
“I missed greens, made a couple bogeys with wedges from the fairway, which is unlike me. But made up for it by playing the par 5s really well,” said Spieth, who’s hit just 11 of 28 fairways through two rounds.
“Certainly a bonus with that hole-out on 8. That holed-out wedge kind of made up for those ones that missed the greens.
“But all in all I think I progressed today from yesterday and that’s all I’m looking forward to do day to day.”
Joining Spieth in the group at T2 was Rickie Fowler, who carded a 68, which included three bogeys offset by five birdies and an eagle-2 after driving the par-4 5th hole.
“Yeah, I hit it perfect,” said Fowler of the tee shot on No. 5.
“I was really just aiming at the right side of the green. The wind was down off the right, just tried to hit a high straight ball.
“Started right there and stayed straight for a while and just drifted left as it was falling. Yeah, couldn’t really have drawn it up any better.”
Corey Conners (67), Harold Varner III (66), Adam Schenk (66), and Kyoung-Hoon Lee (67) were the others at 8 under.
Seven more players were one further back at 7-under par including Brian Stuard (70), Josh Teater (68), Matt Jones (68), Byeong-Hun An (68), Rory Sabbatini (68), Scott Stallings (69), and Jim Knous (67).
Defending champion Andrew Landry shot a 74 and missed the cut by two strokes.
TOP-5 LEADERS
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
1. Si Woo Kim -12 (-6)
2. Jordan Spieth -8 (-4)
2. Rickie Fowler -8 (-4)
2. Corey Conners -8 (-5)
2. Harold Varner III -8 (-6)
2. Adam Schenk -8 (-6)
2. Kyoung-Hoon Lee -8 (-5)
OTHER NOTABLES
15. Jhonattan Vegas -6
15. Ryan Moore -6
15. Graeme McDowell -6
20. Jimmy Walker -5
20. Charley Hoffman -5
28. Ernie Els -4
28. Matt Kuchar -4
48. J.B. Holmes -2
48. Jim Furyk -2
61. Martin Kaymer -1
MC. Daniel Berger +2
MC. Andrew Landry +2
MC. Davis Love III +6
STAT LEADERS
Driving: Haotong Li – 326.1 yards (T28)
Fairways: Ryan Moore – 23/28, 82.1% (T15)
Greens: Corey Conners – 31/36, 86.1% (T2)
Putts/GIR: Si Woo Kim – 1.440 (1st)
