Sungjae Im 3rd, 3 Shots Behind: "PO Victory in Sight"... Kyunghoon Lee "Final 3rd Round Ticket?"

'PO Round 2' BMW Championship Day 3 6-Under, DeChambeau and Cantlay Tied for Lead, McIlroy Tied 4th

Im Sung-jae is examining the putting line on the 2nd hole during the third day of the BMW Championship 'PO Round 2'. Owings Mills, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) is challenging for the ‘Playoff (PO)’ victory.

On the 29th (Korean time), at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, USA (par 72, 7,542 yards), during the third day of the PGA Tour ‘PO 2nd round’ BMW Championship (total prize money $9.5 million), he shot 6 under par to stand 3rd, 3 strokes behind (18 under par 198 strokes). ‘The Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay (both USA) are tied for the lead (21 under par 195 strokes), while Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) and two others are tied for 4th place (17 under par 199 strokes), setting the stage for a late chase.

Im Sung-jae started tied for 4th, 4 strokes behind, and recorded 7 birdies and 1 bogey. He opened the scoring early with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 4), followed by back-to-back birdies on holes 4-5 and 10-11. Although a ‘3-putt bogey’ on the 14th hole (par 4) was disappointing, he recovered with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. It is remarkable that he employed ‘pinpoint iron shots’ hitting the green only twice missed, with drives up to 350 yards. His green play was also powerful, averaging 1.63 putts per hole, showing ‘stingy putting’ skills.

‘Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau is looking at the ball after a trouble shot on the 8th hole during the third day of the PO 2nd round BMW Championship. Owings Mills, USA = Getty Images / MultiBits Photo by MultiBits

With his current ranking, Im Sung-jae has risen to 12th in the PO rankings, making it likely for him to qualify for the ‘final 3rd round’ Tour Championship, which only admits 30 players. DeChambeau remains the ‘top favorite’ for the win. Following a powerful 12-under round the previous day, he shot another 5 under par today, showing ‘rollercoaster play’ with 2 eagles, 5 birdies, 2 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. His performance on the 4th hole (par 5) with ‘2-on 1-putt’ and the 5th hole (par 4) with ‘1-on 1-putt’ eagles has been a major draw for the tournament.

Cantlay’s performance is formidable. With consistent rounds of ‘6 under - 9 under - 6 under,’ he is competing for the number 1 seed. It is important to note that the number 1 seed receives a 10-under par stroke bonus in the ‘final 3rd round.’ The new ‘PO system,’ introduced in 2019, applies differential stroke bonuses: 2nd place 8 under, 3rd place 7 under, 4th place 6 under, 5th place 5 under, 6th-10th place 4 under, 11th-15th place 3 under, 16th-20th place 2 under, 21st-25th place 1 under, and 26th-30th place even par. This explains the importance of securing a higher seed.

World number 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) faltered with 2 under par, placing 8th (16 under par 200 strokes), and last year’s ‘PO final champion’ Dustin Johnson (USA) is tied for 10th (14 under par 202 strokes). The ‘Korean 3 musketeers’ include Lee Kyoung-hoon (30), who is tied for 12th (12 under par 204 strokes). Currently ranked 32nd in the PO rankings, his qualification for the ‘final 3rd round ticket’ is precarious. Kim Si-woo (26, also CJ Logistics) has slipped to tied 40th (6 under par 210 strokes), making survival difficult.

Lee Kyung-hoon is escaping from the rough at the 5th hole on the third day of the BMW Championship 'PO Round 2'. Owings Mills, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

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