Tied 16th Im Sung-jae: "Opportunities Will Come, Need to Set Strategy Well"

PGA Tour RBC Heritage Top 10 Within Reach
Jumps 18 Spots in 3rd Round

"Even if the game doesn't go well at times, if you wait, the opportunity will come eventually, so you have to stay calm."

Im Sung-jae [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

This is the determination of Im Sung-jae ahead of the final round of the PGA Tour RBC Heritage (total prize money $20 million). After completing the third round on the 16th at Harbour Town Golf Links (par 71, 7,121 yards) in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, he said, "The last day is important, so I will be nervous, but I need to focus on my play and carefully plan my strategy for each hole."

Im Sung-jae shot a 5-under-par 66 with six birdies and one bogey that day. With a total score of 9-under-par 204, he jumped to a tie for 16th place. Rising 18 spots from a tie for 34th the previous day, he opened up the possibility of entering the top 10 for the fifth time this season. He is just one stroke behind the group tied for 9th, making it reasonable to expect a finish within the top 10 in the final round.

Im Sung-jae reduced two strokes in the front nine and then raised his position by making consecutive birdies from the 13th to the 15th holes in the back nine. He shared his thoughts, saying, "In the early part of today, my body was less warmed up than usual, so the distance on my iron shots for the second shots was a bit off. In the back nine, I found my rhythm again and played steadily, making three consecutive birdies, so I think I finished well."

Matt Fitzpatrick (England) leads with a total score of 14-under-par 199, while Patrick Cantlay (USA, 13-under-par 200) and Jordan Spieth (USA, 12-under-par 201) are in second and third place, competing for the championship. Players up to the tie for 9th place are competing with a one-stroke difference between each rank, promising an intense final round battle.

Lee Kyung-hoon, who made the cut along with Im Sung-jae the previous day, will play the final round tied for 46th place with a total score of 4-under-par 209.