Sungjae Im Believes Aggressive Play Could Be the Key to Weekend Success
Sungjae Im KOR, OCTOBER 9, 2025 - Golf : Baycurrent Classic Presented by LEXUS 1st round at Yokohama Country Club, Kanagawa, Japan. Noxthirdxpartyxsales PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN aflo_306639323
Sungjae Im KOR, OCTOBER 9, 2025 - Golf : Baycurrent Classic Presented by LEXUS 1st round at Yokohama Country Club, Kanagawa, Japan. Noxthirdxpartyxsales PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN aflo_306639323
The South Korean professional golfer Sungjae Im just posted the lowest round of his PGA Tour career, and believes aggressive play is now the only way to end his five-year win drought.
The 28-year-old South Korean golfer spoke after Friday’s second round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, where he moved into a tie for second at 13-under after a round featuring a hole-in-one, an eagle, and seven birdies.
"If the weather stays good over the weekend, I think this course allows you to play aggressively," Im said. "The greens are receptive, so there should be a lot of chances to create birdie opportunities. I want to keep giving myself as many chances as possible."
His approach reflects how vulnerable TPC Craig Ranch has played through two rounds.
May 21, 2026; McKinney, Texas, USA; Sungjae Im plays his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
May 21, 2026; McKinney, Texas, USA; Sungjae Im plays his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Im put a number on it, too. He estimated the winning score could land somewhere between 20 and 25-under if conditions hold.
A rainy Thursday and minimal wind left TPC Craig Ranch vulnerable despite a nearly $22 million renovation that added bunkers and significant contours to the greens.
"The greens have definitely changed since the renovation," he said. "But if you judge the distance well and make the right club selection, I think there are plenty of birdie opportunities out there."
Im is five shots behind leader Si Woo Kim, who shot a 60 to reach 18-under. Im is tied at 13-under with Scottie Scheffler, Kensei Hirata, and Wyndham Clark.
Im’s 61 on Friday was the best score of his PGA Tour rounds. The performance came during his seventh straight week of tournament play, and Im admitted he is feeling tired from all the travel heading into the weekend.
Sungjae Im on His Win Drought and What Contention Feels Like Again
Im spoke honestly about his position going into the weekend. He said he has not won on the PGA Tour in four or five years, and he understands how important this weekend could be.
"Of course, being in contention brings some pressure," Im said. "But I want to use those experiences in a positive way this week."
Im credited his consistency across the entire bag for the day. "I'm very pleased with today's round," Im said. "Everything felt solid, from my driver to my putting."
The hole-in-one at the seventh, he said, caught him off guard despite hitting exactly the shot he intended. He just didn't expect it to go in.
He's keeping the ball. "Since it's a lucky ball, I think I'll keep it for now."
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav