Im Sung-jae defends title at KPGA's Woori Financial Group Championship

Im Sung-jae hits a shot at the Woori Financial Group Championship at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi on Sunday. [KPGA]

Im Sung-jae defended his title at the Woori Financial Group Championship on Sunday at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi where over 22,000 spectators saw the PGA star in action across four days.

Im competed in the KPGA tournament organized by his subsidiary sponsor Woori Financial Group and carded a three-under-par, 69, in the last round for a final score of 11-under-par, 277, defending his title for the first time in his career.

He was in joint third on moving day and made four bogeys in the final round, but four birdies and one eagle allowed him to surpass runners-up Moon Dong-hyun and Lee Jung-hwan by a margin of one stroke and secure the title.

This year’s victory resembles last year’s win where he also took the title by a margin of one stroke. Sunday’s win marks Im’s third KPGA title in four competitions on the Tour, having previously won the Genesis Championship in 2019 before his title defense at the Woori Championship.

An eagle on the 12th hole was a deciding moment for Im, as it saw him take the frontrunner position. A birdie on the par-5 18th hole then sealed his victory. A par would have forced a three-way playoff among Im, Moon and Lee.

“I thought it would be hard to win, but my successful second shot on the ninth hole changed the flow,” Im said after the tournament. “If opportunity permits, I will go for a third straight title. I also want to create a moment where I defend my title on the PGA Tour.”

Im, 26, has competed on the PGA Tour since 2018 and won two titles so far: The Honda Classic in 2020 and the Shriners Children’s Open in 2021.

He has also participated in 12 PGA competitions this season, managing his best finish at The Sentry in January where he tied for fifth. He has yet to make a top-10 PGA finish since then.

Im will return to the PGA Tour for the ongoing 2024 season that lasts through September. The Tour next heads to Texas for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson teeing off on Thursday.

Im will be in action alongside countrymen Kim Si-woo and An Byeong-hun, who have also yet to win a title on the Tour this year. No Korean golfer has won a title in the 2024 season, which has been dominated by the United States' Scottie Scheffler who has claimed four titles from March 10 to April 22.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]