Chan Kim Maintains Lead at ISCO Championship Thanks to Late Eagle

Louisville, KY –Chan Kim recovered from a shaky start to Friday’s second round at the ISCO Championship, securing a five-shot lead heading into the weekend. Kim, who carded an impressive 61 in the first round at the new venue, Hurstbourne Country Club, now sits at 11-under 129.

A Rollercoaster Round for Kim

After opening Friday with a birdie on the par-5 10th, Kim’s comfortable four-stroke cushion began to dwindle with bogeys on the 11th, 16th, and 1st holes. He even briefly trailed Beau Hossler by one shot. However, Kim reignited his round on the par-4 4th hole, sinking a remarkable 36-yard pitch for an eagle—his second straight eagle on that hole. He then added birdies on the 7th and 8th to solidify his position at the top of the leaderboard. This strong finish puts the 35-year-old journeyman, who boasts 10 titles across the Japan Golf Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, halfway to his first PGA Tour victory.

The Chasing Pack

Trailing Kim are Kris Ventura of Norway (64), Vince Whaley (67), and Thomas Rosenmueller of Germany (69), all tied for second at 6-under. Ventura’s round of 64, tied for the low round of the day with England’s David Skinns (64), was particularly eventful, featuring a double bogey and a bogey on his front nine before a strong finish with five birdies. Ventura commented on his resilience, stating, “I think the highlight would have been just turning it around after the double bogey on 4. I think the old Kris would have been really pissed off and maybe let that affect me a little too much.” Beau Hossler finished with a 68, placing him in a tie for fifth with Kevin Kisner (69) and Skinns, among others.