Sungjae Im "1 Win 1 Loss in Qualifiers"... Defending Champ Kisner "2 Consecutive Wins, Feeling Great~"

Dell Technologies Match Play Day 2: Lost to Leishman by 2 Holes, Faces Perez on 27th for 'Round of 16 Ticket', Poulter "Alternate Player Upset"

Im Sung-jae is making a bunker shot on the 17th hole on the second day of the Dell Technologies Match Play. Texas (Texas, USA) - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "1 win, 1 loss."

Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) lost by 2 holes to Mark Leishman (Australia) on the second day of the preliminary round of the World Golf Championships (WGC) Dell Technologies Match Play (total prize money $10.5 million) held at Austin Golf Club, Texas, USA (par 71, 7,108 yards) on the 26th (Korean time). On the 27th, he will compete against Victor Perez (France) for a 'Round of 16 ticket.' The 64 players are divided into 16 groups like the FIFA World Cup, playing 3 group league matches, and the first place advances to the Round of 16.

Im Sung-jae played a tight match with Leishman, exchanging wins on 3 holes each up to the 14th hole (par 4). However, he showed a lack of stamina, losing the 15th and 16th holes consecutively. On the 15th hole (par 4), he made a bogey with '3-on 2-putt,' and on the 16th hole (par 5), after struggling in the rough, he finally reached the green on the fifth attempt but gave up the hole helplessly. Interestingly, in the same group, Russell Henley defeated Perez by 4 holes, making all four players 1 win and 1 loss. Im expressed confidence, saying, "My shot feel is not bad."

Defending champion Kevin Kisner is on a two-match winning streak after defeating Justin Thomas on the second day of the Dell Technologies Match Play.

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) drew with Robert MacIntyre (Scotland), standing at 1 win and 1 draw, and Jon Rahm (Spain) is cruising after defeating Shane Lowry (Ireland) by 2 holes. Attention should be paid to 2019 champion Kevin Kisner (USA). After beating Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) by 2 holes on the first day, he defeated 'No. 2' Justin Thomas on this day, making it '2 wins and a great mood.' He is particularly strong in match play, having been runner-up in 2018.

In 2019, he won the championship despite a preliminary loss, which brought him more spotlight. Last year, the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, so he was defending his title. In Group 2, Matt Kuchar (USA) defeated Oosthuizen to share the lead, making the third preliminary match between Kisner and Kuchar even more heated. Ian Poulter (England) is another dark horse. In Group 11, he caused an upset by defeating Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) the previous day and won against Cameron Smith (Australia) by 1 hole on this day.

McIlroy defeated Lanto Griffin but has low chances of advancing to the Round of 16. 'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) still has a chance. He defeated Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) by 2 holes, standing at 1 win and 1 loss in Group 5, and will face Tommy Fleetwood (England, 1 win 1 draw). Kim Si-woo failed to catch a 'big fish,' losing three consecutive holes including the 14th, 15th, and 17th holes. Mackenzie Hughes (Canada) in Group 9 and Dylan Frittelli (South Africa) in Group 12 have already reached 2 wins early, eyeing the 'Match King' opportunity.

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