With Lexi Thompson out of the equation, it’s Tom Kim again who is stealing the limelight at the Shriners Children’s Open. The South Korean golfer boarded the flight to defend his title. But Thompson’s PGA debut overshadowed Kim’s title bid. Now, his blazing form has once again made him a title contender and placed him on the cusp of a historical record.

There is something more than $1.51 million on the line for the 21-year-old golfer. With his third PGA Tour win, he can touch a career milestone set by Tiger Woods 26 years ago. Ironically, if he manages to pull it off, it’ll be at the same venue where the 47-year-old golfer won his first PGA Tour victory.

Tom Kim inches closer to a Tiger Woods record

After the first day, it was Beau Hossler leading the round. But much like Brooks Koepka at the LIV Jeddah, the South Korean international burst into life on the second day. Fluttering off nine birdies and cupping an eagle, the youngster quickly scaled to the top of the leaderboard.

The young golfer shot a 9-under 62 to tie for the top spot with American pro Lanto Griffin and Canadian Adam Hadwin on Saturday. For the second straight year, the rising star scored 62 in the third round at the Shriners Children’s Open. It was a big day for Kim at TPC Summerlin, as he went on to nail four birdies on the last six holes, making an 11-footer birdie putt on the par-5 13th hole along the way.

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According to Justin Ray of TwentyFirst Group, if he can bag the title on the final day, he will be the youngest 3-time winner at the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods. Woods won his third PGA Tour victory in 1997 at the Mercedes Championships. Not only that, he is on the cusp of achieving another historical feat. He will also become the youngest golfer to successfully defend a PGA Tour title in more than a hundred years.

Last year, Tom Kim became the second youngest player after Ralph Guadalupe to win twice on the PGA Tour. He equaled another historical feat of Lee Travino from 1974, when he recorded a bogey-free 72 holes. If these weren’t enough, he equaled another Tiger Woods record last year as well.

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Tom Kim matched Woods’ feat last year as well

When Kim outclassed Patrick Cantlay last year at TPC Summerlin, he became the only golfer since Tiger Woods to win two PGA Tour victories before turning 21. Once again, on the very same course, the young golfer is eyeing another Woods record while the legend slowly recovers from injuries.

Woods hasn’t played after withdrawing from this year’s Masters. Most recently, the 15-time Major winner was seen teeing up at Pebble Beach during the TGR Jr. Invitational. Although no remaining date is fixed, fans expect him to return at the Hero World Challenge.

With Kim’s current form, it appears the 82-time PGA Tour winner has to share his legacy with the youngster before making a comeback.

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