HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The excitement is palpable as the third round of the 2025 RBC Heritage came to a close at Harbour Town Golf Links on Saturday, April 19, with Si Woo Kim taking the lead after posting an impressive 5-under 66. Kim's solid performance has placed him at 15-under 198, just one stroke ahead of both Justin Thomas and Andrew Novak, who are tied for second.
Kim's journey to the top of the leaderboard began with a bang, as he birdied the first two holes, quickly catching up to Thomas, the 36-hole leader. The South Korean golfer maintained his momentum throughout the round, demonstrating exceptional ball-striking and a keen sense of strategy on the course. “I played great — only missed the last hole, so that’s not a big deal,” Kim said post-round, exuding confidence. “I’m in good position. I’ve been playing good.”
While Kim was making his move, Thomas faced a rollercoaster of challenges. He was assessed a one-shot penalty on the par-5 second hole after notifying a rules official that his ball had moved slightly while he was removing loose gravel around it. Despite this setback, Thomas managed to salvage his round, finishing with a birdie on the 18th hole to end the day at 14-under 199 with a score of 69. “It was huge,” Thomas remarked about his final birdie. “I played really well today, really solid. Just didn’t have much to show.”
Andrew Novak, who also shot a 66, is in excellent form, having played a bogey-free round that showcased his steady approach. He is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory but has been a consistent contender this season. “I thought there were a decent amount of tough pins out there today,” Novak reflected. “When I had chances for birdies, I did a pretty good job of taking care of most of them.”
The leaderboard is tightly packed, with 12 players within five shots of the lead, making for an exciting final round on Sunday. Maverick McNealy, who shot a 64, is in fourth place at 13-under, while former British Open champion Brian Harman and Tommy Fleetwood are tied for fifth at 12-under. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, despite a rough patch on the back nine, remains in contention at 11-under after carding a 68.
As players prepare for the final round, the conditions at Harbour Town are expected to remain challenging. The greens are getting firmer, and the wind is picking up, which could lead to more dramatic shifts in the leaderboard. “There are low scores available,” Kim noted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum. “It’s a matter of who holes putts and who limits mistakes.”
Looking ahead, the final round promises to be a thrilling showdown. With players like Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay lurking just behind, anyone within striking distance could make a charge for the title. The excitement is amplified by the fact that this is a signature event with no cut, allowing players to go all out for the win.
Fans can tune in to watch the action live on CBS, CBSSports.com, and the CBS Sports App from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Kim, Thomas, and Novak as they battle it out for the coveted plaid jacket.
