Official Press Conference Ahead of Tour Championship
Masters 3rd Round, 2nd Hole Chip Shot Eagle: The Best Moment
"The Result of Injury Management and Consistent Practice"
Sungjae Im, who competes on the PGA Tour, shared his thoughts ahead of his seventh consecutive appearance in the playoff finale.
In an interview with the PGA Tour on August 20 (local time), a day before the start of the Tour Championship, Im reflected on the 2025 season, saying, "I wanted to praise myself for reaching the Tour Championship for seven consecutive years since my rookie season. There were times when things didn't go well, but I overcame them quickly and worked hard to achieve better results."
Sungjae Im is walking on the green of the 7th hole during the practice round of the Tour Championship, the final playoff event. Atlanta=AFP·Yonhap News
Recalling his most memorable shot of the year, he said, "During the Masters, I made an eagle with a chip shot on the 2nd hole in the third round. It stands out because it was a major tournament and the Masters is my favorite." When asked about the secret to his strong short game, Im explained, "I've practiced two to three hours a day since the past. Although I practice a bit less these days, my spin control and other aspects have improved, so my short game has gotten better this year."
He ranked first in the number of eagles on the PGA Tour this year and said, "On the final day of the RBC Heritage, I made two eagles on the 2nd and 9th holes." He added, "I started the year strong with a third-place finish in the first tournament, and I also began the majors well with a fifth place at the Masters. However, in the second half of the year, I couldn't perform as well as I wanted and started to feel rushed," evaluating his season.
He continued, "I was stressed and had a tough time alone, but I played well in the first round of the playoffs and maintained my ranking in the second round, which allowed me to reach the Tour Championship." When asked about the secret to consistently staying among the tour's elite for seven years, Im replied, "I tried to maintain my routines and daily patterns consistently. I also managed my body well to avoid injuries and practiced diligently without becoming lazy."
He revealed, "My goal this year was to reach and win the Tour Championship. Although I didn't achieve all my goals as I had hoped, I'm satisfied to have made it to the Tour Championship." He added, "I always strive to be a diligent player and want to show junior players the importance of never giving up."
Sungjae Im will compete in the Tour Championship, which opens on August 21 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, with a total prize fund of $40 million. Only the top 30 players in the season's FedExCup points standings qualify for this event. Therefore, advancing to the Tour Championship not only earns the title of a tour top-ranked player but also secures eligibility for major tournaments and other key events next season.
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