Tournament article
Gate Way To The Open Mizuno Open at The Royal Golf Club 2019
Welcome back! Chan Kim makes a great come back from the injury
He was complaining with his playing partner Yuta Ikeda, "why wasn't the first 2 rounds set at more than 8000 yards?".
As he said, the total yardage of 8016 setting was more than suitable for Chan Kim and his playing partner Yuta Ikeda. On 16th hole Par 5 where the yardage was 705, Chan Kim's tee shot went 350 yards. Chan Kim took all of the advantage he could take from the monster course setting and marked 69 for the day. He made a comeback at the tournament he won his first victory, although on different venue, 2 years ago.
He came on to the Tour after winning the 2014 Final QT, and since then everyone admired Chan for his distance. In 2017, he marked 3 victories and became Order of Merit titleholder. But on the very last tournament, tragedy haunted him. At season last JT Cup, he had to withdraw with the enormous back pain. With that back injury not being cured, he flew to WGC-Mexico Championship, but during his practice round he has broken his left wrist from hitting tree root during his shot. He barely was able to cure without having a surgery, but it took 5 months to heal. Then he had to go through rehabilitation for 6 months. He was able to swing his clubs just 2 weeks before this season's SMBC Singapore Open.
"During the days I had to sit at my house in Arizona was mentally harsh on me. But even the times I was away from contention, I was always longing to come back to this. Couldn't forget the passion of winning."
Chan Kim kept on believing that his chance will come again.
"At the season opening event, I was just so glad that I was back on the field."
His back injury harms his way sometimes, "so there are ups and downs on his conditions" he says. But he was able to show his power and pride with that 4 birdies he made on back nine today, and with this monstrous course setting he has plenty of chances to show off his distance advantages.
"This course enables everyone to make a great score, so I want to be aggressive tomorrow."
Chan Kim is really "BACK" and in going to be in final group on Final Round. With same aggressive gutty player Yuta Ikeda in the group, they will surely be showing off powerful Sunday afternoon.