Sungjae Im "First Top 10 of the New Year"... Landry's "Second Career Win"

American Express Final Day Tied 10th, Landry Wins by 2 Shots, Ancer 2nd Place

Im Sung-jae is teeing off on the 4th hole on the final day of the American Express. La Quinta, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] 'PGA Tour Rookie of the Year' Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) achieved his first 'Top 10' finish of the new year.

On the 20th (Korean time), at the La Quinta Stadium Golf Course in California, USA (par 72, 7,113 yards), Im posted a 4-under-par final round in the PGA Tour American Express (total prize money $6.7 million) to finish tied for 10th place (18-under-par 270). Andrew Landry (USA) added a 5-under-par round to secure a 2-stroke victory (26-under-par 262). This marks Im's second career win, his first since the Texas Open in April 2018, with a winner's prize of $1,206,000 (1.4 billion KRW).

Im recorded seven birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. He opened the scoring early with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 4 and 6, exchanged a bogey on the 7th hole (par 4) for a birdie on the 8th hole (par 4), and gained momentum with a birdie on the 11th hole (par 5). Unfortunately, a double bogey on the 12th hole (par 4) was a setback. After struggling in the bunker, he suffered a critical '4-on 2-putt'. However, he impressively bounced back immediately with consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes. He sealed his round with a birdie on the 17th hole (par 3).

It is noteworthy that Im was hampered by bunkers in two consecutive tournaments. In the final round of the Sony Open, which ended on the 13th, he recorded a triple bogey on the 16th hole (par 4) after three bunker shots, causing him to quickly drop to a tie for 21st place. Following his runner-up finish at the Sanderson Farms in September last year and a tie for third at the Zozo Championship in October, this marks his third 'Top 10' entry of the 2020 season, providing some consolation. For Korea, Lee Kyoung-hoon (29) finished tied for 21st place (15-under-par 273).

Landry started tied for the lead and collected eight birdies (three bogeys). Notably, Abraham Ancer (Mexico) surged with a 9-under-par round to tie, highlighted by back-to-back birdies on the final two holes, 17 and 18. It is interesting that Landry missed the cut seven times in eight tournaments since the Military Tribute in September last year. This time, his 'stingy putting' with an average of 1.46 putts per hole proved decisive. Ancer finished second (24-under-par 264), and Scottie Scheffler placed third (23-under-par 265).