'2 Consecutive Wins March' Im Sung-jae "Clash with Morikawa"..."Back Nine is the Decisive Point~"

The Key to Victory at The CJ Cup Battleground The Summit Golf Course is 'Green Play', Johnson: "Reading the Putting Line is Crucial"

Im Sung-jae is completing a practice round ahead of the CJ Cup. Las Vegas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "The back nine is the decisive factor."

Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics), the 'Shriners Children's Open Champion,' on the 14th (Korean time) at The Summit Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada (par 72, 7,431 yards), ahead of the 4th event of the 2021/2022 PGA Tour season, The CJ Cup (total prize money $9.75 million), shared his winning strategy, saying, "The front nine is short while the back nine is long. First, I need to reduce my score as much as possible in the early holes and then hold steady on the difficult holes in the back nine."

"The season has started well," he added confidently, "and I want to maintain this momentum at the sponsor's tournament." Im Sung-jae's current shot form is excellent. During his Shriners victory, he recorded 1 eagle and 26 birdies (with 4 bogeys). He explained, "Sometimes I make mistakes when missing the green and landing in deep rough, so I am preparing for that." He also said, "There are really many good players, so I have to at least stay in the 'top 20' during the first and second rounds," showing his fighting spirit.

The key to victory is 'green play.' Dustin Johnson (USA), world No. 2, analyzed right after the practice round that "it is not easy to read the putting lines." Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) also described it as a "typical desert course," adding, "There are even optical illusions on some holes." Im Sung-jae will start the marathon at 1:13 a.m. on the 15th from the 1st hole (par 4) alongside world No. 3 Collin Morikawa (USA) and Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama (Japan).