Lim Seong-jae, who won the domestic tournament after 3 years and 7 months by ‘overturning the 5 stroke’, promised to continue his momentum in the PGA Championship, a major tournament where he will go straight to the United States.
Im Seong-jae said at a press conference after the Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour Woori Financial Championship, which ended today (14th) at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do, “It was difficult to adjust to the jet lag from the first day. Enduring with mental strength for four days brought hope of winning the championship. “I am happy to be able to win,” he said.
In the Woori Finance Championship, which opened on the 11th, Lim Seong-jae recorded a total of 10 under par 278 strokes for four days, beating Lee Jun-seok (Australia) by one stroke and winning the championship.
Lim Seong-jae, who started the KPGA Korean Tour event 3 years and 7 months after winning the Genesis Championship in October 2019, achieved two consecutive victories in the Korean Tour tournament he participated in with this victory.
In particular, Im Seong-jae proved his ‘class’ worthy of a representative player of Korea on the PGA Tour by winning the Genesis Championship and overcoming a 7-stroke and 5-stroke inferiority in the lead on the last day, respectively.
He tied for 24th in the first round of this tournament, tied for 8th in the 2nd round and tied for 4th in the 3rd round, and made a comeback by reducing 4 strokes in the final round.
Im Seong-jae recalled, “I wanted to get away from winning with two bogeys at the beginning of the day, but in the middle, I knew that the difference between the lead and the number of strokes was not large, so I thought it was worth trying.”
Im Seong-jae was pushed back by 3 strokes to Lee Jun-seok, who took the lead in the middle of the final round, but made a one-stroke difference with an eagle on the 12th hole (par 5), and balanced it at once with a birdie on the next hole.
In the 18th hole (par 5), where he was tied for the lead with Lee Jun-seok, he made a chance with a perfect bunker shot even after dropping his second shot into the bunker, and put a birdie putt to beat Lee Jun-seok, who could not put a closer birdie putt.
Lim Seong-jae said, “I thought I could compete for the championship at the 12th hole eagle, and then I knew that it was a one stroke difference and I thought that the game would come out on the last hole.” I was able to get a birdie by putting my third shot perfectly on the green,” he cited as a factor in the win.
In this tournament, 20,148 galleries, including 11,213 final rounds, gathered to watch Lim Seong-jae play for four days.
Lim Seong-jae said, “I felt good to meet domestic fans after 3 years and 7 months. I was surprised that many people came even on weekdays, and I personally felt that ‘You have done well on the PGA Tour for 4 years.’ I was very happy to see it,” he said.안전놀이터
Im Seong-jae, who gained energy by lifting the trophy amidst the support of the fans, will leave for the United States tomorrow and participate in the PGA Championship, a major PGA Tour tournament that opens on the 18th.
Im Seong-jae said, “I think I will have to go back to the United States and adjust to the jet lag again.”
Furthermore, the Hangzhou Asian Games, which will be held this fall, is one of the big competitions Lim Seong-jae is preparing for.
Lim Seong-jae said, “The Asian Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Two pros (Im Seong-jae, Kim Si-woo) and two amateurs (Jo Woo-young, Jang Yu-bin) participate, and I think the breathing of the four is the most important.” I want to win. Every time I meet Jo Woo-young and Jang Yu-bin, they say, ‘You guys are important'” and smiled.
He added, “After 10 or 20 years, many better Korean players than me will appear on the PGA Tour, but until then, I want to remain as the best player in Korea. I will work hard to survive on the PGA Tour.”