by Roh Woolae
Published 11 Feb.2026 11:00(KST)
When will fans be able to see Im Sungjae, the marquee star of Korean men's golf, back in action?
He is expected to return to competition in the near future. All That Sports, Im Sungjae's management company, explained, "The recovery of Im Sungjae's wrist injury has been slower than expected, and there is still some inflammation and pain in the wrist area." The PGA Tour kicked off its 2026 season with the Sony Open on January 15. Including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am taking place this week, the tour will have completed five tournaments.
Im Sungjae is focusing on rehabilitation to compete in PGA Tour events. AFP and Yonhap News Agency
원본보기 아이콘Im Sungjae has yet to appear on the course. In December last year, he developed inflammation in his wrist while doing volunteer work as an alternative service worker, coaching young aspiring golfers. He had originally planned to play in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a signature event for which he is eligible, but changed his schedule. He had been scheduled to depart on the 8th for this tournament.
All That Sports said, "A detailed examination last week confirmed that he is generally on a recovery trend," but added, "The medical team advised that it would be better for him to return after full recovery rather than rushing back into tournament play."
Im Sungjae is currently preparing with the goal of playing in the Genesis Invitational, which begins on February 19. All That Sports offered a cautious outlook, saying, "Depending on the player's condition and how his recovery progresses, his tournament schedule may be further adjusted."
Im Sungjae made his PGA Tour debut in 2019 and has two victories: the Honda Classic in 2020 and the Shriners Children's Open in 2021. Last year, he played in 28 tournaments, recording three top-5 finishes but no wins.
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