'Masters Runner-up' Im Sung-jae: "Riding the Momentum Toward My First Win~"

RSM Classic Consecutive Appearances, Duncan 'Title Defense', Sink and Laird, Cocklock '2-Win Competition'

Sungjae Im challenges for his first win of the 2020/2021 season at the RSM Classic.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) continues his march toward victory.

The battleground this time is the RSM Classic (total prize money $6.6 million) of the PGA Tour, which opens on the night of the 19th (Korean time) at Sea Island Resort in Georgia, USA. It is noteworthy that he made his debut at the 'Masters,' the 'Tournament of Champions,' which ended on the 16th, and finished as runner-up. Riding this momentum, he is challenging for his first win of the 2020/2021 season. He moved early to Sea Island, a three-hour drive from Augusta National, to fine-tune his competitive shot sense.

Most world stars have entered rest, increasing his chances of winning. In fact, only five players within the top 20 of the world rankings are participating: 6th-ranked Webb Simpson (USA), 10th-ranked Tyrrell Hatton (England), 16th-ranked Tommy Fleetwood (England), 18th-ranked Im Sung-jae, and 20th-ranked Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa). Experts have also pointed to Im Sung-jae as the 'second favorite' after Simpson. Simpson is strong and is aiming for revenge after last year's playoff defeat.

Im Sung-jae qualified as the 2018 Korn Ferry (second-tier) Tour money leader and entered the PGA Tour in 2019, becoming the only rookie to advance to the Tour Championship, the final third round of the Playoffs (PO), and won Rookie of the Year. The highlight was the Honda Classic last March. He shot 4-under on the final day to secure a one-stroke victory, joining the ranks of the seventh Korean champion alongside 'Tank' K.J. Choi (50), Yang Yong-eun (48), Bae Sang-moon (34), Noh Seung-yul (29), Kim Si-woo (25), and Kang Sung-hoon (33, CJ Logistics).

On the final day of the Masters, he clashed with world No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) in the champion group, further enhancing his presence. This tournament features a unique format, playing the first and second rounds alternating between the Seaside Course (par 70, 7,005 yards) and the Plantation Course (par 72, 7,060 yards), then playing the third and fourth rounds again on the Seaside Course. For Im Sung-jae, performance on the relatively difficult Seaside Course is crucial. The fairways are wide, making tee shots easier, but the greens are tricky.

Defending champion Tyler Duncan (USA) has a dual dream of defending his title. He recalls the thrilling memory of sinking a 4-meter winning birdie on the second hole of the playoff last year. Stewart Cink (USA), who won the Safeway Open in September, Martin Laird (Scotland), the October Shriners Hospitals for Children Open champion, and Jason Kokrak (USA), the CJ Cup champion, are competing for 'two wins.' Korea is represented by Kang Sung-hoon (33), Lee Kyung-hoon (29), and K.J. Choi (50, SK Telecom).

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