[Masters] Im Sung-jae Surprises as Leader "5-Under Par Early Surge"... Woods "1-Under Par Revival Shot"

2022 Season First Major Masters Day 1: Smith 2nd by 1 Stroke, World No.1 Scheffler and Johnson Tied 3rd by 2 Strokes in 'Chase'

Im Sung-jae is preparing for a shot at the 5th hole on the first day of the Masters. Augusta, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "A 5-under par early spurt."

World No. 26 Im Sung-jae (23) is charging toward his first major victory. On the 8th (Korean time), at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA (par 72, 7,510 yards), he fired a 5-under par round on the opening day of the Masters, immediately taking the top spot on the leaderboard. Cameron Smith (Australia), the champion of The Players Championship known as the '5th major,' is in second place, one stroke behind at 4-under par 68. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Dustin Johnson are tied for third at 3-under par 69, chasing closely. The 'returning golf emperor' Tiger Woods (both USA) is tied for 10th at 1-under par.

Im Sung-jae leading is big news itself. It is the first time in Masters history that a Korean player has led. He recorded one eagle, five birdies, and two bogeys. He started strong with three consecutive birdies from holes 1 to 3, and sank a challenging 5-meter birdie putt on the 7th hole (par 4). Although he had consecutive bogeys on the notoriously difficult 10th and 11th holes, he maintained his score with an eagle on the 13th hole (par 5) with a '2-on 1-putt.' He made another birdie on the 15th hole (par 5), and despite his second shot landing in a bunker on the final 18th hole (par 4), he successfully saved par.

Im Sung-jae was runner-up at the 'Autumn Masters' postponed to November in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the final day, he faced Dustin Johnson in the champion group, drawing even more spotlight. However, last year, he had a rollercoaster performance, including a quadruple bogey with a '7-on 2-putt' after a chip shot from just 29 yards at the 15th hole on the first day, finishing 5-over par, and 8-over par on the second day, resulting in a cut-off. This is a great opportunity to firmly restore his pride.

Scheffler is a player to watch. He has won three of his last five events, including the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the Dell Technologies Match Play in March. His victories span regular tournaments, invitationals, and match play, showing his evolving form. This time, he is challenging for a major title. 'Playoff (PO) champion' Patrick Cantlay (USA) is tied for 7th at 2-under par, looking for his chance.

Tiger Woods is teeing off on the 4th hole on the first day of the Masters. Augusta, USA = Getty Images / Multibits
Photo by Multibits

Locally, attention was focused on Woods' 'comeback shots.' He returned to the PGA Tour after a long 1 year and 5 months since November 2020. He suffered a severe leg fracture in a car accident in Los Angeles, California, in February last year, undergoing a long rehabilitation process involving a wheelchair and crutches. Before the tournament, he meticulously checked his condition through daily practice rounds, and on this day, he managed three birdies and two bogeys.

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) remained tied for 19th at even par. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) is tied for 31st at 1-over par, eyeing becoming the sixth 'career grand slammer' in global golf. He won the 2011 US Open, the 2012 PGA Championship, and the 2014 Open Championship in succession but has yet to complete the final puzzle, the Masters, after eight years. From Korea, Lee Kyung-hoon (31) is tied for 43rd at 2-over par, and Kim Si-woo (27) is tied for 70th at 4-over par.

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