Kim Stays Strong Following Flatstick Frustration

Augusta, Georgia, United States: Putting with his three-wood proved no handicap for Kim Si-woo on day two of the 85th Masters Tournament.

The 25-year-old Korean damaged his flatstick in a fit of pique in the wake of short-game woes at 14 and 15, but still managed to par his way home and sign for a second-round three-under-par 69 to remain in contention.

As his putter was damaged ‘during the normal course of play’, he was unable to replace it immediately, opting to use his three-wood on the final four greens, all of which he two-putted.

Kim, who is allowed to put a new putter in his bag for round three, enters the weekend at Augusta National in joint sixth place on 140, just three strokes off the pace being set by Englishman Justin Rose.

“I was lucky the last few holes because I only had a birdie putt, so there was no pressure to make it,” said three-time PGA Tour winner Kim of his adjustment on the slick greens.

Asked about slamming his putter into the ground after a poor chip on the par-five 15th following the only bogey of his round on 14 where he missed a short par-putt, Kim said: “(It was) just frustration. That was not done on purpose, but it was broken.”

With last year’s joint runner-up and countryman Im Sung-jae (77-80) missing the half-way cut, Kim now carries Korean hopes as he attempts to become the first Asian to win the Masters title and slip on the famous green jacket. KJ Choi was third in the 2004 edition.

Kim said: “When I was a kid, I watching the Masters and every Major every year. It’s an honour (to be here) and I’m proud of myself. I hope (I’m) still there Sunday.”

Level with Kim after 36 holes is Hideki Matsuyama, who battled to a 71 to maintain his prospects of emulating fellow-Japanese Tsubasa Kajitani, who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last Saturday.

Matsuyama, who has two top-10s at Augusta National on his resume, made an eagle on 13, holing out with his putter from behind the green. It’s the second year in succession he’s gone into round three in joint sixth spot.

“It was quite different from yesterday’s conditions, but all in all, I played well again and am happy with my round,” said the 29-year-old, who has five wins on the PGA Tour.

“I like my position, but I’ve got to keep working. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be in the same position or even better,” said the two-time former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner who has a best finish of fifth at the Masters, in 2015.

Chinese Taipei’s CT Pan, who shared seventh place here last November, added a 71 to his opening 79 but missed the half-way cut which was set at 147.

Other top names to miss the cut included defending champion Dustin Johnson (74-75) Lee Westwood (78-71) and Brooks Koepka (74-75).