Sungjae Im Stumbles with 2-Over Par "Why the Double Bogey?"... Koepka Leads

Workday Championship Day 2: Tied 26th, Morikawa Tied 2nd, Defending Champ Reed Tied 8th

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] World ranking 17th Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics, photo)'s march to victory was halted by a bunker.

On the 27th (Korean time) at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, USA (par 72, 7,474 yards), during the second day of the World Golf Championships (WGC) Workday Championship (total prize money $10.5 million), he faltered with a 2-over-par and dropped to a tie for 26th place (2-under-par 142). 'Phoenix Open champ' Brooks Koepka (USA) surged with a 6-under-par to take the top of the leaderboard (11-under-par 133), while three players including Collin Morikawa (USA) are chasing in a tie for 2nd place, one stroke behind (10-under-par 134).

Im Sung-jae recorded 3 birdies, 3 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), he was cruising with 2 birdies and 1 bogey, but was stopped by a double bogey at the 2nd hole (par 4) on the back nine. His second shot from 174 yards flew into a greenside bunker, and he failed to escape, resulting in '4 on and 2 putts.' His iron shots wavered, causing additional bogeys on the 3rd and 4th holes, leading to difficulties. Fortunately, he changed the momentum with a birdie on the 7th hole (par 5) near the end.

Brooks Koepka is reading the putting line on the 14th hole during the second day of the Workday Championship. Bradenton, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Koepka is on an upswing after winning the Phoenix Open on the 8th. Among his 8 career wins, 4 are majors, earning him the nickname 'Major Hunter.' In July 2019, he showcased his strength in high-profile matches by winning the FedEx St. Jude Invitational. After knee surgery in December that year, his presence faded due to treatment and rehabilitation, but he returned to the top after 1 year and 7 months, boasting the status of the 'returned number 1.'

Billy Horschel (USA) and Cameron Smith (Australia) joined in a tie for 2nd place, and Tony Finau is challenging to break the '2nd place jinx' from a tie for 5th place (9-under-par 135). He has been frustrated by finishing 2nd consecutively at the Farmers Open on the 31st of last month and the Genesis Invitational on the 22nd. Defending champion Patrick Reed is tied for 8th place (8-under-par 136), while Justin Thomas (USA) and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) are tied for 13th place (5-under-par 139).

'The Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) secured a tie for 20th place (3-under-par 141) with an 8-under-par daily best. Attention should be paid to his maximum 343-yard long drives combined with an average of 1.33 'stingy putting' per hole. He swept up 9 birdies (1 bogey). World No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain) struggled with a 4-over-par and is tied for 43rd place (even par 144), while No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) also finished only tied for 54th place (2-over-par 146).

Bryson DeChambeau is teeing off on the 7th hole on the second day of the Workday Championship. Bradenton, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz Photo by Multivitz