'The Liberation of Golf' WM Phoenix Open Day One
‘Newlywed’ Im Sung-jae has made a steady start.
On the 9th (local time), Im Sung-jae shot 1-under-par 70 on the first day of the WM Phoenix Open (total prize money $20 million) at TPC Scottsdale (par 71, 7,261 yards) in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, placing him tied for 19th. Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin (both from Canada) are tied for the lead at 5-under-par 66, while Xander Schauffele (USA) is tied for 3rd at 4-under-par 67. Many players were unable to complete their rounds due to bad weather followed by sunset.
The WM Phoenix Open is known as the ‘liberation zone of golf.’ It is the only stage in the global golf world where drinking and loud cheering are allowed. The total prize money for the WM Phoenix Open has more than doubled from last year’s $8.2 million, with the winner’s prize alone reaching a whopping $3.6 million, making it a ‘premium match.’ The PGA Tour has significantly increased the prize money for nine regular tournaments this year to compete against LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabian capital.
Im Sung-jae recorded one eagle, three birdies, and four bogeys. After his first birdie on the 1st hole (par 4), he faltered with consecutive bogeys on the 7th and 8th holes, followed by another bogey on the 10th hole (par 4). Struggling at 2-over-par through 14 holes, he changed the momentum with an eagle on the 15th hole (par 5), then energized the crowd with back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th holes. However, it was unfortunate that he made a bogey on the final 18th hole (par 4) by hitting his tee shot into the water. He is four strokes behind the co-leaders.
World No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) reduced three strokes over 13 holes and is tied for 6th at 3-under-par. Max Homa and Keegan Bradley (USA) are also in this group. World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler (USA) is tied for 19th, while Kim Joo-hyung and Kim Si-woo are tied for 38th at even par. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) struggled, tied for 82nd at 2-over-par 73. Lee Kyung-hoon, the runner-up in 2021, is also tied for 82nd.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
