Charlie Wi will never be as famous as his childhood rival Tiger Woods. Heck, he's not even close to being the most well-known "Wi" in golf, with that honor going to the LPGA's Michelle Wie.
Still, the 40-year old has carved out a solid career on the PGA Tour, already topping the $1 million mark in earnings this season for a sixth-straight year. And things could only get a lot better this week.
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After a Friday 67 at TPC Sawgrass, Wi finds himself just two shots off Zach Johnson's lead heading into the weekend. Unfortunately, it's been the weekend where the native of South Korea hasn't always been at his best. But Wi is confident that's about to change.
"I think the more you put yourself in position to win, I think that it just becomes habit," said Wi, who is still searching for his first victory in his 171st start on the PGA Tour. "I think that one day, I'm going to break the door down here soon."
There is precedence for a player breaking through at the Players. Both Craig Perks in 2003 and Tim Clark in 2010 made "the fifth major" their first wins on tour.
Wi, who isn't exactly a fan of alarm clocks, managed his round despite a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call for his 7:30 tee time.
"I hate the first group off or something," he said. "It's just too early for me."
He won't have to worry about that Saturday when he tees off in one of the final groups of the afternoon. Even better news? Another good round and he'll have a chance to break that door down for a first tour title in emphatic fashion.
-- Alex Myers
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