Sungjae Im 4th "2 Consecutive Wins March Is Ongoing"... Hatton Leads

Arnold Palmer Invitational Day 3: 1 Over Par in Strong Winds, World No.1 McIlroy Tied for 2nd Place

Im Sung-jae is watching the ball right after putting on the 9th hole of the third day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Orlando, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] 'Honda Classic Champ' Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) continues his 'march for a second consecutive win.'

On the 8th (Korean time), at Bay Hill Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, USA (par 72, 7,454 yards), during the third day of the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational (total prize money $9.3 million), he recorded 2 over par amid strong winds and maintained a tie for 4th place (3 under par, 213 strokes). Tyrrell Hatton (England) leads by 1 stroke (6 under par, 210 strokes), with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) chasing in a tie for 2nd place (4 under par, 212 strokes).

Im Sung-jae combined 4 birdies, 4 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. He was cruising with 2 birdies and 2 bogeys on the front nine, but on the 11th hole (par 4) in the fairway bunker, his second shot landed in the water, resulting in a double bogey and halting his momentum. Despite hitting a maximum 337-yard drive, his iron shot green hit rate dropped to 66.67%, causing difficulties. The consolation was his 'stingy putting' averaging 1.67 putts per hole.

He is 3 strokes behind the leader, leaving ample room for the championship battle. It is noteworthy that Im Sung-jae is riding a wave of momentum after securing his first PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic, which ended two days ago. While 'Europe's flagship' Hatton is aiming for his first PGA Tour win, McIlroy dreams of reclaiming the top spot after two years. Especially for McIlroy, this course is a 'winning stronghold' where he famously shot 8 under par on the final day in 2018 to secure a 3-stroke victory.

South Korea’s Kang Sung-hoon (33), who started tied for the lead, slipped to 8th place (1 under par, 215 strokes) after a rough 6 over par. He was hampered by two triple bogeys: at the 11th hole (par 4), his tee shot and third shot went into the water hazard, and at the 18th hole, his tee shot went out of bounds (OB). Defending champion Francesco Molinari (Italy) was replaced by Lee Kyung-hoon (29), who is tied for 16th place (1 over par, 217 strokes), while An Byeong-hun (29, both CJ Logistics) finished tied for 53rd place (6 over par, 222 strokes).

Im Sung-jae is making a bunker shot on the 17th hole on the third day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Orlando, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

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