Im Sungjae vs Munoz 'Return Match'... What About An Byeonghun?

Night of the 1st Opening Rematch at Sanderson Farms, Rookie of the Year Scheffler Joins, Kim Siwoo and Kang Sung-hoon Compete

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] 'Return Match.'

World No. 24 Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics, photo) is seeking revenge. On the night of the 1st (Korean time), at Jackson Golf Club in Mississippi, USA (par 72, 7,461 yards), the PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship (total prize money $6.6 million) opens. This is the stage where he was defeated last year after an extended playoff battle with Sebastian Munoz (Colombia) on the final day. The disappointment was even greater as he missed a 2-meter par putt on the first hole of the resumed playoff at the 18th hole (par 4).

Im Sung-jae consoled himself by winning the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour Genesis Championship in October, and in March, he finally joined the ranks of PGA Tour champions by winning the Honda Classic. In the 2020 season, he played 26 tournaments with one win and seven top-10 finishes. Above all, his consistency stands out. It is encouraging that he is on the rise, finishing 11th at the Tour Championship, the final third playoff event, and 22nd at last month's major US Open.

The PGA Tour also named Im Sung-jae as the second favorite to win. He will clash once again with Munoz. Rookie of the Year Scottie Scheffler (USA) is a player to watch. In August, during the second day of the first playoff event, The Northern Trust, at Boston TPC in Norton, Massachusetts (par 71, 7,342 yards), he made 12 birdies and recorded a remarkable 'dream 59.' He was anxious after testing positive for COVID-19 just before the US Open.

The organizers paired Im Sung-jae and Scheffler to create an exciting group. An Byeong-hun (29, CJ Logistics) is looking for an opportunity. Last year, he was in a fierce battle for the win, leading by 2 strokes after the second round and in third place by 2 strokes after the third round, but finished third by 1 stroke on the final day and missed the playoff. 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (50, SK Telecom) has joined, and Kim Si-woo (25), Kang Sung-hoon (33), and Lee Kyung-hoon (29, all CJ Logistics) are also competing together.