Tireless Sungjae Im wins Honda Classic

South Korea's Sungjae Im has won his maiden US PGA Tour title at the Honda Classic.

By Tim Reynolds, Australian Associated Press

Sungjae Im is tireless, and no longer winless.

The 21-year-old South Korean started fast and finished stronger on Sunday, winning the Honda Classic by one shot over Mackenzie Hughes for his first career PGA Tour victory in his 50th attempt.

Im shot a closing four-under 66, finishing at six under to match the second-highest winning score since the Honda moved to PGA National in 2007.

He was the tour's rookie of the year last season, and has played more tournaments and more rounds than anyone since the 2018-19 season began nearly a year and a half ago.

And now, he's a winner - the seventh from South Korea to win on tour.

Young Australian Cameron Davis did plenty of good for his tour future when he eagled the closing hole to tie for eighth place, four shots behind Kim, after a closing 68.

Im birdied four of his first five holes, then birdied two of the final four to finish off the victory and pick up $US1.26 million.

Ignoring water waiting to gobble up a slightly misjudged or mis-hit shot, he took dead aim at the 15th and 17th holes, sticking his tee shot to inside eight feet both times and converting the putts with nerveless precision.

World No.308 Hughes, a Canadian who made the cut on the number Friday, shot his second consecutive 66. Playing alongside Im, he missed a birdie putt at the par-5 finishing hole that would have gotten him into a tie for the top spot.

Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who is still seeking his first PGA Tour win, began the day one shot clear of the field and reached the final hole needing a birdie to force a playoff.

But his hopes ended when he carved his second shot into the water after a spectator screamed out "get in the hole" during his backswing and he made bogey to finish third after a 71.

Some of Im's best moments have come when no one has been looking.

He was third at the Zozo Championship in Japan last October, a finish totally overshadowed by Tiger Woods tying the PGA Tour record of 82 career victories. And in November he went 3-1-1 to tie for the best showing by a player on the International team at the Presidents Cup, but the U.S. team captained by Woods rallied in singles on the final day to win the trophy at Royal Melbourne.


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