Page 20 - AT

A20 SPORTS
Monday 2 March 2020
Sungjae Im wins Honda Classic for 1st PGA Tour title

By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer
PALM BEACH GARDENS,
Fla. (AP) — Moments after
getting his first career PGA
Tour win, Sungjae Im took a
moment to reflect on what
it means.
Not for himself — for his
homeland, and for those
dealing with a virus that
has the world on edge.
The 21-year-old South Ko-
rean started fast and fin-
ished stronger Sunday, win-
ning The Honda Classic by
one shot over Mackenzie
Hughes and two over Tom-
my Fleetwood for his first
victory in 50 tries on tour.
But before he could be
whisked back to the course
to collect the trophy, Im
made sure to speak out
about the coronavirus and
tell those in South Korea —
where nearly 4,000 cases
have been confirmed —
that he was thinking of
them.
"Over in Korea right now, I Sungjae Im of South Korea holds the trophy after winning the Honda Classic golf tournament, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Palm Beach
know a lot of people are Gardens, Fla.
dealing with the coronavi- Associated Press
rus," Im said. "And it's kind
of a huge deal with every- everybody proud." the tour's rookie of the year proud of the way I fought nally exhale as the winner.
body. But I'm just glad as Im shot a 4-under 66 on last season, plus has played this week." He hugged his caddie in
a Korean player that I can Sunday, finishing at 6 un- more tournaments and Fleetwood (71) was alone the locker room, where he
deliver some good news der to match the second- more rounds than anyone in third and is still seeking his watched the last 20 min-
to the countrymen back highest winning score since since the 2018-19 season first PGA Tour win. He start- utes or so on a monitor.
home ... to do something the Honda moved to PGA began nearly a year and a ed the day one shot clear "I've been in this spot many
for the country and make National in 2007. He was half ago. of the field and started times. ... I just felt like the ex-
And now, he's a winner, birdie-birdie to get to 7 un- perience really helped," Im
Valimaki takes 1st title picking up $1.26 million this der at that point — match- said through a translator.
week and becoming the ing what was the low score Some of Im's best moments
at Oman Open after Honda's 10th international in relation to par of the have come when no one
has been looking.
champion in the last 16 week.
winning playoff seasons. Then PGA National did He was third at the Zozo
Im birdied four of his first five what it usually does, that Championship in Japan
holes, then birdied two of being not let anyone run last October, a finish to-
MUSCAT, Oman (AP) — first career tour victory. the final four — after stick- away from the pack. tally overshadowed by Ti-
Sami Valimaki of Finland The final round began ing tee shots on the tough Fleetwood made bogey on ger Woods tying the PGA
overcame difficult con- with a crowded leader- par-3 15 and 17th holes the par-4 6th and couldn't Tour record of 82 career
ditions to win the Oman board as six players tied within 8 feet both times — get up and down from a victories. And in November
Open on Sunday after for the overnight lead to finish off the victory. greenside bunker on the he went 3-1-1 to tie for the
beating South African with Joost Luiten among Hughes, a Canadian who par-4 8th, giving back what best showing by a player
Brandon Stone in a play- them looking to win his made the cut on the num- was left of his lead at that on the International team
off in the third edition of second title at the Al Mouj ber Friday, shot his second point. Fleetwood birdied at the Presidents Cup, but
the European Tour event. Golf club. The Dutchman consecutive 66. Playing the par-3 17th to get with- the U.S. team captained
Valimaki and Stone fin- fell out of contention af- alongside Im, he was part in one, but his approach by Woods rallied in singles
ished joint top on 13-un- ter shooting a 3-over 75 of some serious fireworks at the par-5 finishing hole on the final day to win the
der 275 after both shot to finish joint tenth with an on the last two holes and found the water to all but trophy at Royal Melbourne.
2-under 70s in the final 8-under 280. missed a birdie putt at the seal his fate. But this time, he was on
round played on a gusty Adrien Saddier (69) of par-5 finishing hole that "I was going well," Fleet- center stage and em-
day. Both made par on France finished a shot would have gotten him into wood said. "My swing braced the moment.
the first two extra holes back of the leaders on a tie for the top spot. wasn't there today. It wasn't Hughes and Im went to the
played on the par-4 12-under 276 in third with "I love being in the mix," like a comfortable day ... par-3 17th green — the end
18th before Stone fal- Italy’s Guido Migliozzi (71) Hughes said. "I love hav- things weren't quite there, of the "Bear Trap" three-hole
tered with a bogey on and Finland’s Mikko Ko- ing a chance to win, and but I hung in well." stretch — in wildly different
their third time around. rhonen (72) rounding out yeah, it sucks to come up Once Fleetwood's attempt spots. Im stuck his tee ball
The Finn held his nerve to the top five another shot one short, to fight that hard at a miracle hole-out after to just inside of 8 feet, while
make par and claim his back.q all day. I just kind of thought a drop from 120 yards on Hughes had nearly 55 feet
I was going to do it. But still 18 didn't fall, Im could fi- left from above the hole.q