Korea’s Sungjae Im stayed firmly in contention at the BMW Championship following a 7-under 65 on a day American muscleman Bryson DeChambeau blitzed the Caves Valley Golf Club with a stunning 12-under 60 for the solo second round lead on Friday.
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Im made eight birdies against a lone bogey to end the weather-disrupted day on 12-under 132 in tied fourth place, four shots back of DeChambeau who missed a 6-foot, 3-inch birdie putt on the final hole for a magical 59 as he posted his career-low score.
A win-win 🤜🤛
Sungjae Im’s long birdie putt gave @BillyHo_Golf a perfect read. pic.twitter.com/ywLgL3Mqd6
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 27, 2021
Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan made an eagle and four birdies but his charge was slowed down considerably with three bogeys, including on the last hole as he signed for a 69 to lie in tied 15th place on 8-under.
Also Read: After initial hiccup, Matsuyama shifts gears effortlessly
Chasing his second PGA Tour victory in what is the penultimate FedExCup Playoffs event, Im started strongly with three close range birdies on Hole Nos. 1, 2 and 4 which set the tone for his day.
“I made eight birdies. On this course, it is very important to start with momentum early in the round. This is the key for the good round. I made three birdies in my first five holes, and got this momentum and kept it until the back nine where I made another four birdies,” said Im, who entered the week in 25th place on the FedExCup standings and projected to rise to 14th.
Bryson DeChambeau took command early but several are at his heels after Friday @BMWChamps.
(Presented by @ROLEX) pic.twitter.com/irCTfGCnLP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 28, 2021
Im’s ball striking was immaculate once again as he hit 11 fairways and 14 greens in regulation. With the exception of a 40-foot birdie conversion on the eighth, his other birdies were from inside of nine feet.
“The slopes on the course is little bit severe, so it was a bit physically challenging. And the hot weather also bothered me. I need to keep my focus and control my condition,” said Im.
Also Read: Brain and brawn propel Dechambeau to top
Korea’s K.H. Lee carded his second 69 for a share of 23rd place following a round of four birdies and one bogey. Currently 37th on the FedExCup standings, he needs a projected ninth place finish or better to have a chance of progressing into next week’s Season Finale, the TOUR Championship in Atlanta which is exclusive to the top-30 players who will battle for the FedExCup.
Another Korean, Si Woo Kim, was even par through 14 holes but following a 74 on Thursday, he lies in tied 67th place and in danger of concluding his season this week. He requires a projected 15th place to advance to East Lake Golf Club next week.
PGA Tour
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