Sungjae Im "Tied 51st → Tied 24th"... 'Number 1' Scheffler 'Leads for Third Consecutive Day'

Charles Schwab Challenge Day 3: Strong 3-Under, Todd and Sterlings Tied 2nd by 2 Shots, Varner III 4th, Spieth Tied 12th

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Shriners Champ’ Im Sung-jae (24, CJ Logistics, photo) is fighting alone.

On the 29th (Korean time), at Colonial Golf Club (par 70, 7,209 yards) near Fort Worth, Texas, USA, on the third day of the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge (total prize money $8.4 million), he shot 3 under par to rise to a tie for 24th place (3 under par 207). World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads (11 under par 199), Brendan Todd and Scott Stallings are tied for 2nd (9 under par 201), and Harold Varner III (all from the USA) is 4th (8 under par 202).

Im Sung-jae started from a tie for 51st place, 9 strokes behind, and recorded six birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. He gained momentum with consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2, but was abruptly halted by a ‘3-putt bogey’ on the 8th hole (par 3) and a ‘water hazard double bogey’ on the 9th hole (par 4). However, he changed the atmosphere with a birdie on the 11th hole (par 5), followed by consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, and finished strong with a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 4). Although he is 8 strokes behind the leader, he is only 3 strokes behind the tie for 9th place.

'Number 1' Scottie Scheffler is making an approach shot on the 2nd hole on the third day of the Charles Schwab Challenge. Fort Worth, USA = Getty Images/Multivitz

Scheffler added 2 under par to maintain his position at the top of the leaderboard for the third consecutive day. His powerful drives averaged 339.1 yards. However, his fairway hit rate of 57.14% and greens in regulation of 61.11% were somewhat disappointing. He is the strongest player, having won 4 times in his last 9 events, including his first major, the Masters, leading in wins, prize money, and FedEx Cup points. Although he suffered the humiliation of missing the cut at the second major, the PGA Championship, which ended on the 23rd, he made a perfect comeback in this tournament.

Todd showed flawless play with no bogeys, one eagle, and three birdies. Leading with a daily best 5 under par, he quickly joined the race for the championship. He is a player with three career wins, including the 2019 Bermuda Championship and Mayakoba Classic. ‘Texas boy’ Jordan Spieth (USA) is tied for 12th place (5 under par 205), and Viktor Hovland (Norway) is tied for 24th. Defending champion Jason Kokrak (USA) struggled, ranking last at 69th place (6 over par 216).