Sungjae Im Jumps to 17th "Explodes with 8-Under-Par"... Tokyo Olympic Medal?

Tokyo Olympics Men's Golf Day 3: 8-Under Par Daily Best, Shopli Leads Second Day, Matsuyama Chases in 2nd Place by 1 Stroke

Im Sung-jae is teeing off during the third round of the men's golf event at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo by International Golf Federation

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is the ‘moving day spurt’ of Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics), ranked 27th in the world.

On the 31st, at Kasumigaseki Golf Club in Saitama Prefecture, Japan (par 71, 7,447 yards), he surged to a tie for 17th place (7-under 206) with a daily best 8-under on the third day of the Tokyo Olympic men's golf event. Xander Schauffele (USA) held the lead for the second day (14-under 199), hometown player Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) was second (13-under 200), and Paul Casey (UK) and Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) were tied for third (12-under 201), fiercely competing for the gold medal.

Starting from a tie for 51st, Im Sung-jae racked up an impressive 10 birdies (2 bogeys). Although a bogey on the 11th hole (par 4) was unsettling, he regained his iron shot form with four consecutive birdies from holes 13 to 16, and rode the momentum with three consecutive birdies from holes 1 to 3 in the back nine. A second bogey on the 4th hole (par 3) was recovered with three consecutive birdies from holes 6 to 8 near the end. He is five strokes behind the tie for third place, leaving ample room for a ‘medal competition’ on the final day. He expressed confidence, saying, "There is still hope," and "I will play aggressively like today."

For Im Sung-jae, the Olympic medal carries special motivation as it is directly linked to ‘military service exemption.’ Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) faltered with 1-under and dropped to a tie for 38th place (4-under 209). The leading group includes Rory McIlroy (Ireland) and Jeff Straka (Austria), among four players tied for fifth place (11-under 202), eyeing their chances. Top favorite Collin Morikawa is tied for 17th, and Justin Thomas (both USA) also remained tied for 38th.