'Shriners Champ' Im Sung-jae Leads "6-Under Storm Shots from Day One"..."Let's Go for 2 Wins~"

PGA Tour 3M Open Round 1: Peers Tied for Lead, Hogi Tied 3rd, 'Special Temporary Member' Kim Juhyung Stumbles with 2 Over Par

Im Sung-jae (right) is preparing for a shot on the 10th hole on the first day of the 3M Open. Blaine, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "A 6-under par early surge."

'Shriners Champ' Im Sung-jae (24, CJ Logistics) is in revival mode. On the 22nd (Korean time), at the opening day of the PGA Tour 3M Open (total prize money $7.5 million) held at Twin Cities Golf Club in Blaine, Minnesota, USA (par 71, 7,431 yards), he surged with a 6-under par to immediately take a share of the lead. Scott Piercy joined him at the top, while Tom Hoge and Bryce Garnett (both from the USA) are chasing in a tie for 3rd place (4-under par 67).

Im Sung-jae secured his first victory early last October at the Shriners Open, which is included in the 2022 season. In 21 tournaments, he has already made six 'Top 10' finishes including that one win. It is rather surprising that he has struggled in his last three events, missing the cut at the US Open and Genesis Scottish Open consecutively, and finishing tied 81st at The Open. Fortunately, his main weapon, the 'computer iron shot,' came alive today, racking up seven birdies (one bogey).

Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), he made 'stepping stone birdies' including at the 12th hole (par 5), and recovered from his only bogey at the 13th hole (par 3) with a birdie at the 16th hole (par 4). In the back nine, he sparked momentum with a birdie at the 4th hole (par 3), followed by consecutive birdies at the 6th and 7th holes, and finished on a high note with a birdie at the final 9th hole (par 4). Above all, his accuracy stood out with a fairway hit rate of 71.43% and green in regulation rate of 77.78%. Im Sung-jae himself expressed confidence, saying "All my shots were good."

From Korea, No Seung-yeol (32) is performing well in a tie for 17th place (2-under par 69), while Kim Joo-hyung (20) and 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (52, SK Telecom) are tied for 73rd place (2-over par 73). It is worth noting that Kim Joo-hyung earned 'special temporary membership' status after finishing 3rd at the Genesis Scottish Open. If he finishes within the top 125 in the Playoff (PO) rankings across this tournament and the remaining three events?the Rocket Mortgage Classic and Wyndham Championship?he will secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He passionately declared, "Being a PGA Tour member is my dream."

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