▲ Im Sung-jae
Im Sung-jae finished the opening round of the PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic in Japan in the middle of the pack.
Playing the first round of the tournament at the Yokohama Country Club in Yokohama, Japan, Im shot a 2-under-par 69 with five birdies and three bogeys.
Sitting five shots behind the solo leader Jacob Bridgeman of the United States, who carded an 8-under-par 63, Im tied for 26th place.
Having failed to reach the Tour Championship, the final event of the PGA Tour playoffs, this season, Im took a brief break following his appearance at the Presidents Cup—the team golf competition between the U.S. and International teams held last month—and is kicking off a busy schedule with the Baycurrent Classic, followed by events in Macau and South Korea.
Bridgeman, who vaulted to the top of the leaderboard, claimed two wins on the PGA Tour this season and also played a key role in the U.S. team's victory at the Presidents Cup.
Starting on the 10th hole, Im traded two birdies and two bogeys on his front nine, failing to lower his score.
Gaining momentum on the back nine, Im picked up a birdie on the 1st hole (par 4) and shaved off another stroke each on the 3rd hole (par 3) and the 6th hole (par 5).
However, a bogey on the 7th hole (par 3) prevented him from climbing higher up the leaderboard.
Lee Sang-hee, who qualified for the tournament as a top earner on the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) money list, slipped to a tie for 52nd at 1-over-par 72 after managing four birdies against five bogeys.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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