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Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGASAMMY Cup Golf Tournament 2019

"Long Driver" Chan Kim takes advantage to leap up with 8 under play

Chan Kim managed to conquer the course today by making 9 birdies and a bogey to mark 8 under, totaled to 13 under and jumped up to tie to 2nd heading into the Final Round. He had suffered back injury which costed him unable to play for the full 2018 season. He is doing great this season, and this week could be his comeback win Sunday.

Interview after the round
Q. What seem to differ from yesterday's round?
A. I was able to swing with confidence. I had hard times with my putting on the first 2 rounds, but I got comfortable with my putting also today.

Q. How is your back injury?
A. Now, it is getting better. But I want to be cautious and choose the tournaments to enter according to my back conditions.

Q. If you back not fully cured? Is it too early to grab a victory?
A. In 2017 season, my Money Ranking was in a great position, so I tried to be in every tournament, which got may back in bad condition. So, I want to take time and see how I could go and not to push myself too much.

Q. Do you think the long hitters have an advantage here?
A. I think so too. Today, due to the heavy rain yesterday, the greens are soft, and long hitters could hit into the green with short irons, so I think we do have good advantage here.

Q. On the reachable 17th, which club did you select? (today's yardage was 282)
A. I chose 3W, if it was my Driver, I would go over the green, so I adjusted my shot with the 3W.

Q. When the season started, you mentioned about not going so much for the driving distance, but you are still in the top class, right?
A. I don't train much to make big drives, so I think my distance is getting shorter. I know my head speed is not fast as I used to be. I changed my swing and it's getting better to regain my distance without too much training.

Q. You will be in the final group with Ryo Ishikawa tomorrow, have you played in same group with him before?
A. From what I remember, I think it will be my first time to play in the same group. He is also a long hitter and he has great course management strategy, so I am looking forward to learn from him and play along with him.