SAN DIEGO — He might be the leading “native son” on the 54-hole scoreboard, but Michael Kim laughed at the suggestion that he had the biggest following at the 2016 Farmers Insurance Open.
Not with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Pat Perez, Charley Hoffman, and even Jamie Lovemark in attendance. They are San Diego area names with more PGA Tour experience and larger galleries.
Then again, Kim’s third straight sub-par round — a 2-under 70 — vaulted him into contention at a tournament that could go a long way in upgrading his local following. At 7-under 209, the 22-year-old graduate of Torrey Pines High School is two off the lead, tied for fifth.