Tom Kim in three-way tie for lead in Shriners Children’s Open

LAS VEGAS — In a thrilling display of skill and determination, defending champion Tom Kim electrified the crowd with a remarkable 9-under 62, propelling him into a three-way tie for the lead in the Shriners Children’s Open. Kim has an opportunity to achieve the extraordinary feat of winning the same tournament twice in a single season.

This isn’t the first time Kim has performed exceptionally well in the third round at the TPC Summerlin. Last year, he shot a stunning 62 during the same round, which eventually led to him clinching victory in a playoff against Patrick Cantlay. While the PGA Tour now follows a calendar year, the Shriners Children’s Open still technically falls within the same season as Kim’s previous triumph.

Joining Kim at the top of the leaderboard is the immaculate Adam Hadwin, who played a bogey-free round highlighted by his prowess on the par-3s. Hadwin delivered a remarkable 63 to catch up to Kim’s score. Lanto Griffin, a latecomer to the leaderboard, tied with them at a solid 15-under 198. Griffin’s journey to the top was a challenging one, with his first birdie only coming on the 13th hole. Nonetheless, he managed to secure a respectable 68 to contend for the title.

The final round promises to be an exhilarating battle, as the competition is not limited to just three players. K.H. Lee, among three players trailing by only one shot, provides formidable opposition. In fact, a total of 14 players are within three shots of the lead, including J.T. Poston and Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor.

Poston had a chance to co-lead after a remarkable bunker shot on the 15th hole, but one swing and a misguided decision turned the tide against him. His shot veered into the water, leading to a triple bogey. Meanwhile, Taylor missed an opportunity to seize the lead after failing to birdie the par-5 16th. A double bogey on the 17th further dampened his chances of victory.

As for Kim, the 21-year-old South Korean who primarily grew up in Australia, this tournament holds special significance. The Shriners Children’s Open is his first PGA Tour title defense, and the positive vibes from his previous victory greatly enhance his confidence. Kim expressed his excitement, stating, “Just the vibe, feeling like you won this event last year, and I feel like because you won, you have the positive vibes and you kind of relive that winning moment… Just to be able to come back – especially now near the leaderboard – at least I have a chance on Sunday.”

Hadwin’s impressive performance on the 17th, sinking a 30-foot birdie putt, further adds excitement to the tournament. Despite not playing since the BMW Championship in August, Hadwin displayed remarkable skill and confidence, finishing among the top 50 in the FedEx Cup and securing a spot in all the $20 million events next year.

Unfortunately, Hadwin’s world ranking sits at No. 56, meaning his participation in the Masters hinges on his end-of-year ranking. Nevertheless, Hadwin’s presence in contention adds another layer of intrigue to the event.

For Griffin, this is an opportunity to prove his fitness following a series of injuries, including back surgery last July and a rib injury upon his return. Griffin’s timely surge with late birdies on Saturday signifies his readiness to compete for the title.

The tournament contained its fair share of disappointments as well. Cameron Champ, who was tied for the lead after the second round, endured a devastating triple bogey early on, resulting in a lackluster 74 and a drop to 24th place.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.