Im Sungjae's Leap "Tied 6th, 4 Strokes Behind"... Fowler and Scheffler Share Lead

American Express Day Two 6 Under Par, Landry 3rd, Finau 4th 'Chase'

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the leap of 'Rookie of the Year' Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics, photo).

On the 18th (Korean time), at the Tournament Course (par 72, 7,159 yards) in La Quinta, California, USA, during the second day of the 2019/2020 PGA Tour American Express (total prize money $6.7 million), he shot 6 under par to rise to a tie for 6th place (11 under par, 133 strokes). World No. 22 Ricky Fowler and Scottie Scheffler share the lead (15 under par, 129 strokes), while Andrew Landry (all from the USA) is in 3rd place (14 under par, 130 strokes), one stroke behind, in pursuit.

This tournament is played across three different courses, including La Quinta Golf Club (par 72, 7,060 yards) and the Stadium Course (par 72, 7,113 yards), with the final day held again at the Stadium Course to determine the winner. Im Sung-jae started tied for 14th place, 3 strokes behind, and collected 7 birdies (1 bogey). In the front nine, he made two pairs of consecutive birdies at holes 11-12 and 17-18, reducing 4 strokes, and on the back nine, after a bogey on hole 1 (par 4), he added 3 more birdies at holes 4, 7, and 9.

He is 4 strokes behind the leader, a position from which a comeback is definitely possible. Im Sung-jae has shown near-winning form with a runner-up finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship in September last year and a tie for 3rd at the Zozo Championship in October. Fowler posted 8 under par on the Tournament Course, topping the leaderboard. He displayed perfect play with 1 eagle and 6 birdies. Tony Finau is in 4th place (13 under par, 131 strokes), and Bud Cauley (both from the USA) is 5th (12 under par, 132 strokes).

From Korea, Lee Kyoung-hoon (29, CJ Logistics) added 3 under par with 5 birdies and 1 double bogey, placing tied for 39th (7 under par, 137 strokes). An Byeong-hun (29, CJ Logistics) exchanged 3 birdies for 3 bogeys, finishing even par. He is tied for 110th place (2 under par, 142 strokes). No Seung-yeol (29, Nike Golf), who returned after military service, lost 1 stroke with 4 birdies, 3 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. He tied for 110th place with host Phil Mickelson (USA), both struggling.