'Shriners Champ' Im Sung-jae "Hunting 2nd Win of the Season on Winning Turf"... What About the 'Bear Trap'?

Jones aims to defend title at Honda Classic after 2 years, 'Genesis Champ' Niemann seeks 2nd consecutive win

Sungjae Im challenges to reclaim the top position at the Honda Classic after two years.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ‘Shriners Champ’ Im Sung-jae (24) has set out to secure his second win of the season.

The Honda Classic, which opens on the night of the 24th (Korean time) at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA (par 70, 7,125 yards), is especially notable as the site of his first PGA Tour victory in 2020. He has shown particular strength at PGA National, finishing tied for 8th last year among other achievements. This is why experts have named him the ‘top favorite to win.’ Defending champion Matt Jones (Australia) is aiming to defend his title, and ‘Genesis Champ’ Joaquin Niemann (Chile) is challenging for back-to-back wins.

Im Sung-jae was named Rookie of the Year in 2019 and joined the ranks of PGA Tour champions in just 50 events at this tournament in 2020. He continued his upward trajectory by securing his second career win at the Shriners Open in October last year, which counts toward the 2022 season. This year’s start has also been strong, with a tie for 8th at the Sentry Tournament and a tie for 6th at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. In nine tournaments, he has finished in the top 10 four times and is confidently ranked 5th in the Playoff (PO) standings.

Most notably, his greens in regulation rate of 74.51% highlights his precise striking. PGA National is considered one of the toughest courses on the PGA Tour. No fewer than 15 holes are close to water hazards, where a double bogey or worse can be incurred in an instant. In fact, 88% of players who have competed here have recorded at least one over-par score, and since 2007, the number of balls lost in water hazards has reached a staggering 16,000. The final stretch of holes 15 to 17, known as the ‘Bear Trap,’ is especially notorious.

The large bear statue at the 15th hole, the final battleground of the Honda Classic at PGA National.

Jack Nicklaus (USA) redesigned the course in 2001, modeling holes 11 to 13 after Augusta National’s ‘Amen Corner,’ and it quickly became known as the PGA Tour’s ‘notorious three-hole stretch.’ At the 15th hole (par 3) tee box, a large bear statue and a sign reading “You are now entering the Bear Trap” have been installed. This is the perfect place for Im Sung-jae’s ‘pinpoint iron shots’ to demonstrate their power. It is welcome news that top-ranked players like world No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) have taken a break.

Jones is reminiscing about his thrilling memory of a five-stroke victory last year after shooting 2-under on the final day. Niemann is another strong contender. When he won the Genesis Invitational, which ended on the 21st, he made headlines with a ‘wire-to-wire’ victory?the first in 53 years since Charlie Sifford in 1969. He is relying on his ‘stingy putting’ average of 1.55 putts per hole over four rounds. Korea is represented by Lee Kyoung-hoon (31), Kang Sung-hoon (35), and Noh Seung-yul (31), who are competing together.

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