What happened to Lim Sung-jae, the favorite of 'Pung-Dung, Pung-Dung', ranked 153rd on the first day of AMEX
What happened to Lim Sung-jae, the favorite of 'Pung-Dung, Pung-Dung', ranked 153rd on the first day of AMEX
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Was it burdensome for him to be evaluated as the No. 1 favorite? Im Sung-jae was at the bottom of the list on the first day of the PGA Tour's American Express (8.8 million U.S. dollars in total prize money).
In the first round of the tournament held at the PGA West Pitdai Stadium Course (par 72) in La Quinta, California on the 17th (Korea time), Lim Sung-jae tied for 153rd with only 3 birdies and 4 bogeys on 2 double bogeys and a 5-over 77.
It is the first time in 10 months that Im Sung-jae shot 77 or more in an 18-hole round since he shot 80 in the second round of the Balspar Championship in March last year. Im Sung-jae, who boasts stable game management, rarely collapses. In particular, he rarely recorded more than two double bogeys in a single round.
Im Sung-jae, who started the game at the first hole, was shaken to make three bogeys without birdieing through the sixth hole. At the fifth hole (par 5), his second shot for 2 on failed to make it to the green and made a bogey. Since then, he was shaken up as he made a mistake of throwing the ball into the water twice more. His tee shot at the 13th hole (par 3) plunged into the water to write a double bogey, and at the last 18th hole (par 4), his second shot flew to the left of the green and entered the water to make a double bogey again. During the day, the fairway seating rate stood at only 57.14 percent, and the green accuracy rate stood at 50 percent, unexpectedly unnerving for Im.
Im Sung-jae, who started the 2025 season in a good mood by ranking third in the 2025 season opener "The Sentry" two weeks ago, is considered the top contender for the championship. The PGA Tour has placed itself as the highest ranking in the power rankings that predict the favorite to win the title. However, he will have to stay in the 150th or lower on the first day to face pressure from rushing around in the second and third rounds to compete for the title.
Kim Si-woo, who won the tournament in 2021, had a 4-under 68 on the La Quinta course to get off to a good start at 46th, while Lee Kyung-hoon had a 2-under 70 on the Nicklaus Tournament course to tie for 83rd.
Another favorite Kim Joo-hyung also faltered on the first day. Kim, who was picked as No. 10 in the power rankings, played at the stadium course and recorded one-over-par 73, falling to 130th.
During the first to third rounds, the finalists will be determined by alternating the three courses of the Pitdai Stadium, La Quinta and Nicklaus tournaments. The final four rounds will be played on the stadium course. 스포츠토토
In the first round, J.T. Poston shot a 10-under 62 to lead the Nicklaus Tournament. Justin Rohr of the U.S. then scored a 9-under 63 (La Quintacos), trailing the lead by one stroke.