Sungjae Im Jumps to 5th Place "4-Under Par Moving Day Spurt~"... What About 'Number 1' Rahm?

Farmers Insurance Open Day 3: Zalatoris and Day Tied for Lead, Rahm Tied 3rd, Kim Siwoo Tied 11th

Im Sung-jae is teeing off on the 5th hole on the third day of the Farmers Insurance Open. San Diego, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Tied 53rd → Tied 12th → Tied 5th."

'Shriners Champ' Im Sung-jae (24) has finally entered the contention for the title. On the 29th (Korean time), at the Torrey Pines Golf Course South Course (par 72, 7,765 yards) in San Diego, California, USA, during the third day of the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open (total prize money $8.4 million), he posted a 4-under-par round to move into a tie for 5th place (12-under-par 204 strokes). Will Zalatoris (USA) and Jason Day (Australia) share the lead at 14-under-par 202 strokes, while world number one Jon Rahm (Spain) is one stroke behind in a tie for 3rd place (13-under-par 203 strokes), all fiercely competing for the championship in the final stages.

Im Sung-jae made four birdies on the day. After consecutive birdies on holes 5 and 6, he maintained pars before adding two more birdies on the back nine at holes 14 (par 4) and 18 (par 5). He relied on an average of 1.69 putts per hole, demonstrating his precise putting. Since winning the Shriners Children's Open in October last year, which counts toward the 2022 season, he is now on a 'two-win march.' Justin Thomas and Cameron Tringale (both USA), ranked number 6, joined the group tied for 5th place.

Zalatoris showed formidable form, recording an eagle and five birdies for a 7-under-par daily best. Rahm, on the other hand, struggled with an even-par round. He is placing his hopes on the 'promised land' where he earned his first PGA Tour victory in 2017. He has been particularly strong at Torrey Pines, finishing tied 5th in 2019, runner-up in 2020, and tied 7th last year. Kim Si-woo (27) is tied for 8th place (11-under-par 205 strokes), and Dustin Johnson (USA) is tied for 13th place (10-under-par 206 strokes). No Seung-yeol (32) ended with a 2-over-par round and is tied for 71st place (1-under-par 215 strokes).