Kim Ju-hyung climbs to tied 9th at Vidanta World Mexico Open

Kim Ju-hyung fired a 6-under-par round Sunday to move into a tie for ninth place at the Vidanta World Mexico Open on the PGA Tour.

Kim carded a 6-under 65 at Vidanta Vallarta (par 71) in Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time), bringing his 54-hole total to 13-under 200 and drawing level with defending champion Brian Campbell of the United States.

Unlike Saturday, when Kim incurred a penalty stroke for a wrong ball played from a bunker, Kim managed a clean, bogey-free round on Moving Day, collecting six birdies to close the gap on the leaders. Campbell, who played alongside Kim for the second consecutive day, also shot 65 to share the same position.

Andrew Novak of the United States surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 9-under 62, reaching 23-under 190 and opening a six-stroke lead. Novak had already set the course record with a 10-under 61 on Saturday, cutting his score by a combined 19 strokes over two days.

Novak is chasing his first individual PGA Tour title. Last year, Novak teamed with Ben Griffin of the United States to win the Zurich Classic, a team event, but has yet to claim a victory in individual stroke play.

Novak seized control with a strong back nine, according to the Associated Press. After making eagle on the par-5 12th hole, Novak added back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th, picking up four strokes over three holes and at one point stretching his lead to seven strokes.

Matthieu Pavon of France shot a 6-under 65 to move into sole second place at 17-under 196. Pavon birdied the final two holes in succession but still trails Novak by six strokes.

Doug Kim of the United States, a Korean American, fired a 7-under 64 to sit alone in third at 16-under 197. Pierceson Coody, Max Greyserman and Ben Griffin, all of the United States, are tied for fourth at 15-under 198.