GOLF.AI • Nov 14, 2025

The Bounce-Back Brigade

After a challenging opening round at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, some players looked destined for an early exit. But Friday is moving day for a reason, and a trio of competitors staged remarkable turnarounds, proving that a tournament is never decided on Thursday.

The numbers alone tell a story of incredible resilience. Doug Ghim, after an opening 73 (+2), fired a scintillating 8-under 63 in the second round—a staggering 10-shot improvement that vaulted him up the leaderboard. Not to be outdone, Chan Kim orchestrated an 11-shot swing, erasing a disastrous 76 (+5) with a brilliant 65 (-6). Veteran Matt Kuchar also dug deep, turning a 74 (+3) into a solid 66 (-5), an 8-shot comeback to comfortably play the weekend.

What changes in just 24 hours? For some, it's a slight adjustment on the range or a change in wind conditions. For others, it's a mental reset. After a poor start, the pressure to contend is replaced by the singular focus of making the cut, sometimes freeing up a player to swing more aggressively. These comebacks are a powerful testament to the elite mental fortitude required on the PGA TOUR. While the leaders were solidifying their positions, Ghim, Kuchar, and Kim were in a dogfight for survival—and they responded with some of the best rounds of the day.