Sungjae Im: A Brief Biography
Sungjae Im's Early Life and Background
Sungjae Im, a professional golfer from South Korea, was born on March 30, 1998. At age 7, he began working with a coach; at age 12, he enrolled in a Korean golf academy; and at age 17, he became a professional.
Growing up on the golf-obsessed island of Jeju, Im began playing golf at the age of four after following his mother, Mi Kim, to an indoor practice area. After only four years, Im defeated his father, Ji Taek Im, for the first time. Throughout the 2018 and 2019 seasons, his parents accompanied him to every event on the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour.
The Club at Nine Bridges, the site of the PGA Tour's CJ Cup competition, is where Im spent his formative years playing. During his junior golf career, he frequently faced off against fellow professional Si Woo Kim.
Sungjae Im's Amateur Golf Career
Unfortunately, there is no information available about Sungjae Im's amateur career.
Sungjae Im's Professional Career
In 2015, Im became a professional. He participated in the Japan Golf Tour in 2016 and 2017. His best result was a shared second place in the 2017 Mynavi ABC Championship. He placed fifth in the scoring average and 12th on the tour money list in 2017. He took part in a number of Korean Tour competitions; his best performance came from sharing second place in the 2017 T-up Gswing Mega Open.
Im placed second in the Web.com Tour Q-School in December 2017, with a third round of 60. He became the second youngest champion in Web.com Tour history at the age of 19 years, 292 days, when he won the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, the first tournament of the season. The only other winner who was younger than him was Jason Day, who was 19 years, 238 days old.
Sungjae concluded the regular season with a victory at the WinCo Foods Portland Open. He also had three solo runner-up results in the Pinnacle Bank Championship, the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, and the Knoxville Open. He won Web.com Tour Player of the Year and finished first on the regular-season money list.
Sungjae was named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year for the 2018–19 season. In the FedEx Cup era, he qualified for the Tour Championship as just the 13th rookie, and he ultimately finished 19th in the standings. Im was the tour leader in starts (35), cuts made (26), and rounds played (118), 18 more than the next closest rival.
In 2019, Sungjae finished 17th in strokes gained and had seven top-10s, including a T-3 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. As the only players to win both the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year titles in back-to-back seasons, Im joined Stewart Cink (1996–97).
Sebastián Muñoz defeated Sungjae in a playoff for the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 22, 2019. Im participated in the 2019 Presidents Cup at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia in December of 2019 as a member of the international team. The US team prevailed 16–14. On Sunday, Im defeated Gary Woodland in singles, winning 3-1-1.
At the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on March 1, 2020, Sungjae emerged victorious in the Honda Classic, scoring 66 in the final round and -6 overall. In the FedEx Cup rankings, he went up to second place after finishing one stroke ahead of Mackenzie Hughes. At the Masters Tournament in November 2020, Im came in tied for second place, five strokes behind Dustin Johnson.
In his 100th appearance on the PGA Tour, Sungjae won his second title on October 10, 2021, in the Shriners Children's Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada. Having started the day three strokes behind Matthew Wolff, Im played a final round 9-under-62 to win by four shots.
Sungjae played in five matches, winning two, drawing one, and losing two to earn a spot on the international team for the 2022 Presidents Cup. The week before the PGA Championship in May 2023, Im traveled to South Korea to compete in the Korean Tour's Woori Financial Group Championship. He won by one stroke with a final-round 68 that included an up-and-down birdie on the last hole.
Sungjae Im's Playing Style
In the dynamic world of golf, Sungjae Im's game stands out for its precision and strategic finesse. Before each swing, he meticulously analyses the course and green conditions, making calculated moves that set him apart. Im's preference for a cautious approach, steering clear of wild shots, has proven successful on the PGA Tour.
Im's composure in high-pressure moments and ability to stay focused shine through. His game is not just about skill; it's a thrilling display of strategy, poise, and unmatched precision on the golf course.
Sungjae Im's Golf Journey
Sungjae Im's golf journey began in 2015, where he honed his skills on the Japan Golf Tour and the Korean Tour. A standout moment came at the age of 19, when he became the second-youngest Web.com Tour champion, winning the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic.
In 2019, Im clinched the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year title. His steady stroke, accuracy, and disciplined approach define his playing style, paving the way for continued success.
Celebrating his 100th PGA Tour appearance in 2021, Im secured his second Shriners Children's Open championship. He has also represented the international team in the 2019 and 2022 President Cups.
In May 2023, Im traveled to South Korea to compete in the Korean Tour's Woori Financial Group Championship. He won by one stroke with a final-round 68 that included an up-and-down birdie on the last hole.
Im have six wins in his professional career, including wins on the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour, and other major competitions like the Shriners Children's Open, the Honda Classic, and the WinCo Foods Portland Open.
Sungjae Im's Achievements
Sungjae Im has competed in 156 golf tournaments in his PGA career. His accomplishments include two PGA Tour victories and two international titles. Impressively, he made the cut in 125 of 156 competitions. Sungjae won five runner-up and four third-place results, as well as 16 top-5 and 38 top-10 finishes.
Im won Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Regular Season Money List in 2018, making a significant impact on the Web.com Tour. He won the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year title in the 2018–19 season, establishing an incredible career.
Sungjae Im's Majors
Sl. No. | Tournaments | Year |
1. | U.S. Open | 22nd (2020) |
2. | Masters Tournaments | T2 (2020) |
3. | PGA Championship | T17 (2021) |
4. | The Open Championship | T20 (2023) |
Sungjae Im's Awards and Honors
Awards & Honors | Year |
Web.com Tour: Regular Season Money List Winner | 2018 |
Web.com Tour: Player of the Year | 2018 |
Web.com Tour: Rookie of the Year | 2018 |
PGA Tour: Rookie of the Year | 2019 |
Sungjae Im's Net Worth
In 2024, Sungjae Lm's estimated net worth is $12 million. The PGA Tour is his main source of income. His PGA career earnings are estimated at $24.3 million. Additionally, he increased his riches through sponsorships by a substantial sum.
Sungjae Im's Ventures
Sungjae Im has lucrative endorsements with brands like CJ Logistics, Titleist, and Lagardère Sports. Nevertheless, his endorsement revenue is now undisclosed.
Sungjae Im's Assets
Sungjae travels to America frequently, and to make his travels easier, Im acquired a house in Atlanta, Georgia, which is conveniently close to the airport. Besides this, no further information is available about his current home or any other assets owned by him.
Sungjae Im's Family
Kim Mi and Im Ji-take are Im's parents; they raised him on the golf-loving island of Jeju. Im started playing the game at four years old, first going to an indoor practice area with his mother. He defeated his father in the game at the age of 8.
His parents attended every tournament he competed in on the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour in 2018 and 2019, showing their unwavering support for him. Unfortunately, the general public has limited access to information about Im's parents.
Sungjae Im's Wife
As stated on his Instagram account, Sungjae Im tied the knot on December 17, 2022. He uploaded an image along with the words, "2022.12.17. Thanks again for all the birthday wishes. From now on, I will live harder and happier. Thank you." Unfortunately, no information is available about Im's wife.
Im gave all of his guests a Scotty Cameron putter during the weekend of his wedding. Before saying "I do," he posted a story on Instagram featuring the signed gifts. Im thereafter posted a picture of himself on social media with his gorgeous bride.
It is believed that Sungjae signed each putter by hand. The amount of money he spent and the number of guests who attended to mark their special day are not disclosed.
Sungjae Im's Cars
There is no information available regarding the car collection of Sungjae Im.
FAQ's On Sungjae Im
A. Sungjae Im has six professional wins, including victories on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and other major competitions.
A. Sungjae Im has participated in major tournaments, achieving notable results like T2 at the Masters Tournament in 2020.
A. Sungjae Im's playing style stands out for precision, strategic finesse, and a cautious approach that has proven successful on the PGA Tour.
A. Sungjae Im received accolades on the Web.com Tour, including being named Player of the Year and winning the Regular Season Money List in 2018.
A. Sungjae Im has lucrative endorsements with CJ Logistics, Titleist, and Lagardère Sports, contributing to his overall income.
A. Sungjae Im got married on December 17, 2022, expressing gratitude for wedding wishes and sharing the joyous occasion on social media.