Golf: South Korean debutant Im posts best Asian finish at Masters
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[November 16, 2020]
AUGUSTA, Ga. (Reuters) - South
Korea's Im Sung-jae fell short of winning his first major as Dustin
Johnson romped to victory at the Masters on Sunday, but the
22-year-old did enough to show why there is so much excitement
surrounding the rising talent.
A share of second place with Australian Cameron Smith, five shots
behind Johnson, was the best showing by an Asian golfer at Augusta
National, improving on KJ Choi's third place in 2004.
Described as "way beyond his years" by Justin Thomas earlier this
year, the 2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year had targeted merely
making the cut as his goal for his Masters debut.
Rounds of 66, 70, 68 and 69 ensured he did much better than that and
on Sunday Im became the third-youngest player to notch a top-five
finish at the Masters after former champions Tiger Woods and Jordan
Spieth.
"Finishing tied for second is unbelievable ... this is definitely
going to be a memorable Masters for me," Im said, before analysing
the areas where he felt his game let him down as he chased Johnson
on the final day.
"My iron accuracy definitely wasn't up to par but I was able to put
it in places where I was able to have a good angle of getting close
to the hole, so my scrambling was pretty good."
Im was also happy with his putting, but said he had been awestruck
watching Johnson as the American world number one raced to his first
Masters title with a tournament record score of 20-under-par.
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Sung Jae Im tees off on
the second hole during the final round of the Wyndham Championship
golf tournament at Sedgefield Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob
Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
"Just watching him play, he makes the game look so easy," Im said.
"I didn't want to think that I was competing with him today. I just
wanted to focus on my game and try to finish as strong as I can."
Im won his maiden PGA title at the Honda Classic in March and his
finish on Sunday ensured he will not have to wait long for his
second crack at the Masters when the tournament returns to its
regular slot next April.
(Writing by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
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