Kim Si-woo keeps fight alive at BMW Championship

Korea’s Kim Si-woo fought to a 1-under 71 for tied seventh place in the third round of the $20-million BMW Championship on Saturday to keep alive his hopes of advancing into the FedExCup Playoffs Finale, the Tour Championship next week.

Im Sung-jae, left, and Kim Si-woo look on from the sixth tee during the third round of the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado on Saturday. [GETTY IMAGES]

Korea’s Kim Si-woo fought to a 1-under 71 for tied seventh place in the third round of the $20-million BMW Championship on Saturday to keep alive his hopes of advancing into the FedExCup Playoffs Finale, the Tour Championship next week.

Kim, a four-time PGA Tour winner, traded five birdies against four bogeys at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado for a 6-under total and trails 54-hole leader Keegan Bradley, who shot a 70 to lead on 12-under. Bradley will take a one-shot lead over Adam Scott (74) into the final round with Swedish duo Ludvig Aberg (71) and Alex Noren (70) sharing third place on 10-under.

Another Korean Im Sung-jae returned a 73 for tied ninth place on 5-under while An Byeong-hun carded a 71 for a share of 18th place on 4-under.

Kim knows he must improve on his driving accuracy after missing six fairways which contributed to his dropped shots. He is currently projected to move from 44th to 33rd place on the FedExCup points list, with the top-30 on Sunday advancing into the Tour Championship at East Lake.

“It was a tough day. Started well on the front nine with a few good birdies but the back nine was challenging. I missed a few fairways and you get penalized when you are in the rough here. I fought hard and was disappointed to bogey the last,” said Kim.

He is ready to give it his all on Sunday as he is also fighting to play his way into the International Team, which the automatic top-6 players will be confirmed for the Presidents Cup next month after the BMW Championship. Kim is currently ranked 14th on the team list and is hopeful a strong finish will also ensure he remains in captain Mike Weir’s plans for the six automatic picks who will be named after the Tour Championship.

“I’m still in a good position and have everything to play for tomorrow to try and keep my season going and qualifying for the Tour Championship. I just need to play the back nine better,” said Kim.

Im, who is presently ranked 10th on the FexExCup points list, is poised to qualify for his sixth successive TOUR Championship appearance while An is projected to remain in 15th position to make his first appearance in the Playoffs Finale.

BY CHUAH CHOO CHIANG [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]