Sungjae Im and Byung-Hun An "This Time It's a Team Battle"... What About 'Number 3' Jon Rahm?

'2-Person Team' Match Challenges Victory at Zurich Classic, Rahm and Palmer Aim to Defend Title, Morikawa-Wolff Compete for Win

Im Sung-jae (left) challenges for the Zurich Classic 'two-person team' match victory together with An Byeong-hun.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "This time, it's a team battle."

The 'Korean duo' Im Sung-jae (23) and An Byeong-hun (30, both from CJ Logistics) are teaming up. The Zurich Classic, a PGA Tour event with a total prize of $7.3 million, opens on the night of the 22nd (Korean time) at the Avondale Louisiana Golf Club (par 72, 7,425 yards) in Louisiana, USA. It is a 'two-man team' match. The 1st and 3rd rounds are four-ball (each player plays their own ball and the better score is chosen), and the 2nd and 4th rounds are foursomes (players alternate shots with one ball).

Im Sung-jae rose to the PGA Tour champion ranks last March at the Honda Classic, and in November, on the final day of the 'Fall Masters,' he competed in the champion group against world No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA), finishing tied for 2nd, demonstrating his major championship competitiveness. This year, he is also close to his 'second career win' with a tie for 5th at the Sentry Tournament in January and a tie for 8th at the Honda Classic in March. His practical shot sense remains sharp, as shown by his tie for 13th at the RBC Heritage, which ended on the 19th.

It is interesting that Im Sung-jae is strong in team play. The 2019 Presidents Cup, an intercontinental golf competition between the International Team and the USA, is a representative example. Leading the International Team, he achieved an impressive record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. An Byeong-hun has an opportunity to change the atmosphere on this unique stage. In the 2021 season, he missed the cut 8 times in 15 events, showing little presence. He is reorganizing his game with new swing coach Sean Foley.

World No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) and Ryan Palmer (USA) are defending their title. The event was canceled last year due to COVID-19, so this is the first time in two years. Rahm and Palmer boasted perfect chemistry, shooting 26 under par 262 at that time. The pairs of Collin Morikawa - Matthew Wolff and Xander Schauffele - Patrick Cantlay are other contenders. Billy Horschel, who won last month's World Golf Championships (WGC) Dell Technologies Match Play, is partnering with Sam Burns.

The 'long hitter duo' Bubba Watson - Scottie Scheffler (both USA) are dark horses. Korea has thrilling memories with Lee Kyoung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics), who tied for 3rd with Matt Every in 2019. Especially in the 1st and 3rd rounds of four-ball, they showed particular strength by shooting 7 under par each. This year, Kyle Stanley (USA) is the new partner. 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom), Kang Sung-hoon (34), and Bae Sang-moon (35) are paired with Danny Lee (New Zealand).