Workday Charity Open Day 2: Thomas at 2 Under Par in 2nd, Matsuyama 4th, Kim Si-woo and Lee Kyung-hoon Join at 45th
Im Sung-jae is making an approach shot on the 2nd hole of the second day at the Workday Charity Open. Dublin, Ohio, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz Photo by Getty Images
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'PO Ranking 3rd' Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) is showing a strong performance.
On the 11th (Korean time), at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, USA (Par 72, 7,392 yards), during the second day of the PGA Tour Workday Charity Open (total prize money $6.2 million), he shot 2-under par and moved up to a tie for 45th place (2-under par 142). Collin Morikawa leads (13-under par 131), with Justin Thomas and Kevin Streelman (both from the USA) tied for 2nd place (10-under par 134). Due to bad weather and sunset, some players were unable to complete their second round.
Starting from a tie for 64th place, 7 strokes behind, Im Sung-jae recorded 4 birdies and 2 bogeys. He struggled to reduce his score, exchanging 2 birdies and 2 bogeys over 15 holes, but showed strong finishing power with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 7 and 9. His average drive distance was 300.5 yards, but his fairway hit rate of 57.14% and greens in regulation rate of 61.11% were disappointing. He is only 4 strokes behind the group tied for 10th place, making a leap to the top ranks possible.
Morikawa swept up 9 birdies (3 bogeys), including 4 consecutive birdies from holes 2 to 5. His putting was outstanding with an average of 1.50 putts per hole. Leading by 3 strokes, he is on track for his second career win since his victory at the Barracuda Championship last July. Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) and Sam Burns (USA) are tied for 4th place (9-under par 135). Jason Day (Australia) is tied for 21st (4-under par 140), Jon Rahm (Spain) tied for 45th, and Brooks Koepka (USA) is tied for 68th (1-under par 143).
The Korean team saw Lee Kyung-hoon (29) and Kim Si-woo (25, both CJ Logistics) each reduce their score by one stroke, joining the group tied for 45th place. An Byeong-hun (29, CJ Logistics) shot 4-under par but remained tied for 79th place (even par 144), making it difficult to advance to the final round. Noh Seung-yul (29, Isu Construction) lost 2 strokes, slipping to a tie for 102nd place (2-over par 146), and Kang Sung-hoon (33, CJ Logistics) also struggled with 5-over par, dropping to a tie for 105th place (3-over par 147).
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