2020 champion Lim Seong-jae (25) took smooth steps towards his first win of the season.
Im Seong-jae hit a 3 under par 67 in the first round of the PGA Tour Honda Classic (total prize money: $8.4 million) held at the PGA National Champion Course (par 70) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on the 24th (Korean time). .
Im Seong-jae, who finished the first day in a tie for 6th place, two strokes behind the joint leader such as Joseph Bramlett and Billy Horshall (above USA), laid the foundation for a second victory in this tournament following 2020.
Im Seong-jae won the first championship in his life in 2020, and in 2021, tied for 8th place, showing a strong appearance on the notorious PGA National Champion Course.
At the press conference prior to the tournament스포츠토토, he said, “I feel confident when I step on the tee box here.” Experts picked Lim Seong-jae as the top contender for the championship because he matched well with the course.
Lim Seong-jae, who got off to a good start by catching a birdie from the 1st hole (P4), put the ball on the green twice in the 3rd hole (par 5) and reduced one stroke lightly, and in the 8th hole (par 3) he shot a tee shot. He added a birdie by dropping the 2m beside the hole.
A frustrating game continued in the second half.
Im Seong-jae, who stopped par for 7 holes in a row, slowed down with a 3-putt bogey on the 16th hole (par 4).
However, Lim Seong-jae missed his second shot in the 18th hole (par 5) in the bunker in front of the green, but he did not miss the 3m birdie putt and caught a birdie, promising a 2nd round with 3 under par.
Im Seong-jae ranked 8th among players in shot accuracy from tee to green. When I put the ball on the green in the regular number of strokes, the number of putts was 1.85, which was somewhat disappointing.
Kim Seong-hyeon (25), a close friend of Lim Seong-jae and a newcomer this season, hit a 2-under 68 and tied for 14th, turning on the blue light to enter the upper ranks.
Kim Seong-hyun played a neat game, catching two birdies without bogey.
Ahn Byeong-hun (32) shot an even par 70, Roh Seung-yeol (32) recorded a 2-over par of 72, and Kang Seong-hoon (36) recorded a 3-over par of 73.
Justin Seo (USA), a Korean who won last year’s best player on the Korn Ferry Tour, reduced 4 strokes to rank in a tie for 3rd place, one stroke behind the leading group.
Pearson Cudi (USA), the grandson of 1971 Masters champion Charles Cudi, who participated as an invited player, drew attention by hitting a 4-under-par 66 to tie for third place.
Pearson’s ‘twin brother’ Parker Cudy, who competed together, was sluggish with a 4-over par.
The tournament was postponed due to a setback in progress, with many players unable to complete the first round.