Sungjae Im Continues Upward Momentum in Hawaii

Challenging for Third Career Win at the American Express
Consistent Results Every Year, Including Tied 10th in 2020
2021 Champion Kim Siwoo and Kim Joohyung Also Competing
Spotlight on Amateur Winner Dunlap's Bid for Back-to-Back Titles

World No. 19 Im Sung-jae is once again challenging for his first victory of the new year.

Sungjae Im (left) and Siwoo Kim are challenging for the victory at the American Express.

He will compete in the PGA Tour's American Express (total prize money $8.8 million), held over four days starting on the 16th (local time) at PGA West in La Quinta, California, USA. This is the first tournament held on the US mainland after two events in Hawaii. The first to third rounds will be played on the La Quinta Country Club (7,060 yards), Pete Dye Stadium Course (7,210 yards), and Nicklaus Tournament Course (7,147 yards, all par 72), respectively, with the final fourth round taking place on the Pete Dye Stadium Course.

Im Sung-jae has had a good start this year. He finished third in the season-opening PGA Tour event, The Sentry (total prize money $20 million), which concluded on the 5th at the Plantation Course (par 73, 7,596 yards) at Kapalua Resort on Maui Island, Hawaii. Notably, he demonstrated strong focus by shooting 8-under par in the fourth round. To prepare for this tournament, he skipped last week's Sony Open to improve his condition. His past performances in this event include a tie for 25th last year, tied 18th in 2023, tied 11th in 2022, tied 12th in 2021, and tied 10th in 2020.

South Korea is also represented by Kim Si-woo, the 2021 champion of this tournament. At that time, he secured his third PGA Tour victory by defeating Patrick Cantlay (USA). Over the four days, he showed consistency by shooting scores in the 60s (66-68-67-64). Kim Joo-hyung, who struggled with a tie for 62nd place at last week's Sony Open, is aiming to restore his honor. He performed well with a tie for 6th place in 2023. Additionally, Lee Kyung-hoon has entered the field.

Nick Dunlap aims for a consecutive win at American Express.

Attention is also on whether Nick Dunlap (USA) can defend his title. Last year, he won as an amateur, drawing significant spotlight. It was the first amateur victory in 33 years since Phil Mickelson (USA) won the Northern Telecom Open in 1991. After turning professional, Dunlap won again last July at the Barracuda Championship. He is the first player in PGA Tour history to win as an amateur and then again as a professional in the same season.

Dunlap was named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year last month. He will receive the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Award, given to the top rookie. At 20 years, 11 months, and 12 days old, Dunlap became the second youngest rookie of the year after Jordan Spieth (USA), who won the award at 20 years and 2 months in 2013. Expectations are high to see if he will continue to show strong performance in his second year on tour.