Sungjae Im’s Bunker Stroke Takes Unexpected Turn After Bouncing Off Grandstands and Rolling Back

May 10, 2026, 2:10 PM CUT

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 09: Sungjae Im of South Korea hits a drive at the third hole during the third round of the Truist Championship 2026 at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 09, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAY 09 PGA, Golf Herren Truist Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon573260509038

A rare circumstance was witnessed at the Truist Championship on Saturday, when a simple recovery shot by Sungjae Im turned out to be quite the spectacle.

On the 15th hole of the Quail Hollow Club, while competing in the third round, the South Korean golfer was preparing for a normal recovery shot.

However, the stroke took an unexpected turn as the ball went across the green, struck the grandstands with a loud thud, and trickled back into the sand. The mishap resulted in a bogey on the par-5.

Im could only watch as the ball returned 60 yards into the hazard. Despite the quality of his usual short game, this specific attempt failed due to the extreme "rub of the green," forcing him to scramble to finish his round.

After that, Im hit his next ball out of the bunker to about 15 feet away, but he missed his par putt and took a double bogey six.

According to Fox News, the use of grandstands near the greens during the PGA Tour has always received some backlash since it provides the players with a form of backstop.

There have been instances where the grandstand would help the players to get out of trouble since it leads to free relief or even a favorable bounce towards the green.

Pursuing Redemption at Quail Hollow

Im entered the weekend holding the sole lead at 9-under-par. However, after the bunker incident, the third round proved difficult as he posted a 1-under 70, dropping him into a tie for fourth place at 10-under total.

With aspirations of winning for the first time since 2021, the South Korean player will be looking to take advantage of where he stands right now. He has struggled this year with only one top-10 finish, achieving a T4 finish at the Valspar Championship.

Being able to focus amid this strange bogey in the bunker will prove crucial for testing the South Korean's championship mentality, given that he needs to make up four shots to catch the leader, Alex Fitzpatrick.

Each shot becomes critical for the players as the tournament reaches its decisive stage and the elite field tightens. His performance on Sunday will decide whether he remains a footnote or a costly turning point.

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Rudra Dubey