Im Sungjae "PGA Tour Victory"... "Exactly After 50 Matches~" (Summary)

Honda Classic Final Day 4-Under Par '1-Stroke Victory', 7th Korean Champion Ever, An Byeonghun Tied 4th

Im Sung-jae is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the Honda Classic. Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) has finally conquered the PGA Tour.

On the 2nd (Korean time), at the Honda Classic (total prize money $7 million) final round held at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (par 70, 7,125 yards), he surged with a 4-under-par to secure a one-stroke victory (6-under-par 274). This was his 50th event since joining the PGA Tour last year, making him the 7th Korean champion in history following 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (50), Yang Yong-eun (48), Bae Sang-moon (34), Noh Seung-yul (29), Kim Si-woo (25), and Kang Sung-hoon (33, CJ Logistics). The winner's prize money was $1.26 million (15.25 billion KRW).

Im Sung-jae started from a tie for 5th place, 3 strokes behind, and collected 7 birdies (3 bogeys). He ignited the competition with a birdie on the first hole (par 4) followed by three consecutive birdies on holes 3 to 5. Although he made a bogey on the 7th hole (par 3), he recovered with a birdie on the 11th hole (par 4), but consecutive bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes slowed his momentum. What’s even more remarkable is that he made two birdies on the notoriously difficult 15th to 17th holes at PGA National, known as the 'Bear Trap.'

These birdies came on the 15th and 17th holes. On both holes, his 'needle-like iron shots' landed just 2.2 meters from the pin, igniting his performance. The birdie on the 17th hole was especially crucial for Im Sung-jae. After Mackenzie Hughes (Canada) birdied first to tie for the lead, Im surged ahead again by one stroke. On the final 18th hole (par 5), although his third shot landed in a greenside bunker, he executed a miraculous bunker shot that just brushed the hole, securing the 'winning par.'

Im Sung-jae is cheering after making a birdie on the 15th hole of the final day at the Honda Classic. Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Im Sung-jae was last year’s PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. He secured his card through the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour money list and was the only rookie to advance to the Tour Championship, the final third playoff event, gaining momentum. His consistency stood out with seven top-10 finishes in 35 tournaments. The playoff loss at the Sanderson Farms Championship in September was a disappointment. He consoled himself by winning the Genesis Championship on the Korean Tour after returning to Korea in October.

He raised expectations by entering the top 10 three times in the 2020 season, including a tie for 10th at the Zozo Championship and the American Express in January. In this tournament, he climbed the leaderboard round by round after starting with a 2-over-par tie for 63rd on the first day, moving up to a tie for 9th on the second day. Im Sung-jae said, "I thought if I could birdie the 15th hole, I would have a chance to win," adding, "The experience of missing several winning opportunities really helped."

Locally, Tommy Fleetwood (England)’s late charge was another highlight. He birdied a 7.2-meter downhill putt on the 17th hole to close the gap to one stroke. However, Fleetwood’s attempt to reach the green in two shots on the 18th hole ended with his ball finding the water. Hughes finished second (5-under-par 275), and Fleetwood was third (4-under-par 276). Korean An Byeong-hun (29) improved by three strokes to tie for fourth place (3-under-par 277). Lee Kyoung-hoon (29, both CJ Logistics) finished tied for 38th (4-over-par 284).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.