Sungjae Im shoots 2-under 69, tied 26th after first round of Baycurrent Classic in Japan
In short
South Korea's Sungjae Im shot a 2-under-par 69 in the first round of the PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic at Yokohama Country Club in Japan on October 8, placing him tied 26th. American Jacob Bridgeman leads alone after a bogey-free 8-under 63. Korean Lee Sang-hee (이상희), playing on a Japan Golf Tour exemption, shot 1-over 72 and is tied 52nd.
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Sungjae Im of South Korea finished the first round of the PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic in mid-table on October 8, shooting a 2-under-par 69 with five birdies and three bogeys at Yokohama Country Club (par 71) in Yokohama, Japan. The tournament carries total prize money of $8 million. Im is tied 26th, a group that Newsis said includes Keita Nakajima of Japan, Stephan Jaeger of Germany, Justin Thomas of the United States and Adam Scott of Australia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
American Jacob Bridgeman leads alone after an 8-under 63 with eight birdies and no bogeys. Kukmin Ilbo, Seoul Economic Daily and Newsis put Im six strokes behind the leader, while Yonhap reported a five-stroke gap. Jordan Smith of England is second at 7-under 64, and Pierceson Coody, Mac Meissner, Ricky Castillo and Max Homa of the United States share third at 6-under 65, according to Newsis. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Starting on the 10th hole, Im traded two birdies and two bogeys on his first nine. Newsis reported a bogey on 10, a birdie on 11, a birdie on 15 and a bogey on 17. After the turn he birdied the 1st (par 4), 3rd (par 3) and 6th (par 5), but a bogey on the par-3 7th stopped him from climbing further; Kukmin Ilbo said his tee shot there went astray. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Bridgeman has won twice on the PGA Tour this season and contributed to the U.S. team's Presidents Cup win, the outlets reported. Seoul Economic Daily named his wins as the Genesis Invitational and the Biltmore Championship of the fall series, and said the round set him up for a third win of the season. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Im did not qualify for the Tour Championship, the season's playoff finale. He played in the Presidents Cup last month and rested before this event. Seoul Economic Daily described the Baycurrent Classic as the start of an Asian three-event swing, followed by the Asian Tour's Macau Open next week and the Genesis Championship in South Korea the week after. Newsis reported that Im, ranked 61st in the world, has played 22 PGA Tour events this year, with three top-five and ten top-ten finishes. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Lee Sang-hee, who received his place through his standing on the Japan Golf Tour money list, made four birdies and five bogeys for a 1-over 72 and is tied 52nd. Newsis said it was his first PGA Tour event in two months. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The event opens what Seoul Economic Daily called Im's three-tournament Asian swing, which continues with the Macau Open and the Genesis Championship in South Korea. Im did not qualify for this season's Tour Championship, and Korean outlets are tracking his form after the Presidents Cup.
Key facts
- Sungjae Im shot a 2-under-par 69 with five birdies and three bogeys in the first round on October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Im is tied 26th; the tournament is played at Yokohama Country Club (par 71) in Yokohama, Japan, with total prize money of $8 million. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Jacob Bridgeman of the United States leads alone at 8-under 63, with eight birdies and no bogeys. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Jordan Smith of England is second at 7-under 64, one stroke behind Bridgeman. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Lee Sang-hee, in the field on the strength of his Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) money ranking, shot 1-over 72 with four birdies and five bogeys and is tied 52nd. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Im, ranked 61st in the world, has played 22 PGA Tour events this year with three top-five and ten top-ten finishes, Newsis reported. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Sungjae Im shot a 2-under 69 in the first round and is tied 26th. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Jacob Bridgeman leads alone at 8-under 63. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The tournament is at Yokohama Country Club (par 71) in Yokohama, Japan, with $8 million in prize money. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Lee Sang-hee shot 1-over 72 and is tied 52nd. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Im did not qualify for this season's Tour Championship and played in the Presidents Cup before this event. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Jordan Smith of England is second, one stroke behind Bridgeman. [ 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How far Im trails the leader. Yonhap reported a five-stroke gap, while Kukmin Ilbo, Seoul Economic Daily and Newsis reported six strokes.
- Im's world ranking and season record of 22 starts, three top-fives and ten top-tens. Reported only by Newsis.