PGA Tour 3M Open Final Day 3 Under Par, Finau Wins by 3 Shots, Three-Day Leader Piercy's '5 Over Par Rollercoaster Play'
Im Sung-jae is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the final day of the 3M Open. Blaine, USA = Getty Images / Multibits
[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Entering revival mode."
World No. 24 Im Sung-jae (24) added 3 under par on the final day of the PGA Tour 3M Open (total prize money $7.5 million) held on the 25th (Korean time) at Twin Cities Golf Club (par 71, 7,431 yards) in Blaine, Minnesota, USA, to finish tied for 2nd place (14 under par 270). Tony Finau (USA) won with a '5-stroke comeback' (17 under par 267). This is Im's third career win, 11 months after the Northern Trust, the first round of the playoffs (PO), last August, with a winner's prize of $1.35 million (1.76 billion KRW).
Im Sung-jae secured his first victory early last October at the Shriners Open, which is included in the 2022 season. After recent poor performances in the last three tournaments, including missing the cut at the US Open and Genesis Scottish Open consecutively and tying for 81st at The Open, this runner-up finish was especially welcome. He found his competitive shot form by shooting 6 under par on the first day, followed by 1 under par on the second day, 4 under par on the third day, and on this day, he made three birdies at the 5th hole (par 4), 16th, and 18th holes.
Tony Finau is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the 3M Open. Blaine, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images
Finau entered the 'Winners Club' in March 2016 at the Puerto Rico Open. It is interesting that his ancestors are from Samoa, a South Pacific island nation. He has a unique background of actually performing a traditional knife dance with his family to make a living when he was young. His powerful long drives come from his imposing physical stature of 193 cm and 90 kg. During his Northern Trust win, he enhanced his presence by going to a playoff battle with Cameron Smith (Australia).
Locally, the spotlight was on Scott Piercy (USA), who led for three days but played a '5-over par rollercoaster' with 4 birdies, 6 bogeys, and 1 triple bogey. Starting with a 4-stroke lead, he cruised with birdies on holes 2 and 6 but was halted by bogeys on holes 8, 9, and 11. The triple bogey on the 14th hole (par 4) was fatal. After his tee shot landed in a bunker, his second shot also failed to escape the bunker, and his third shot went into the water. He eventually dropped to a tie for 4th place (13 under par 271).
Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics) is tied for 26th place (5 under par 279), and Noh Seung-yeol (31) is tied for 38th place (3 under par 281). Kim Joo-hyung, in particular, has demonstrated exceptional power, including a 3rd place finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, earning him the status of 'Special Temporary Member.' If he finishes within the top 125 in the playoff rankings in the remaining two events, the Rocket Mortgage Classic and Wyndham Championship, he can secure a PGA Tour card for next year.
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