Augusta National Plaudits for Im, Smith and Pan

Augusta, Georgia, United States: Im Sung-jae produced Asia’s best finish at the Masters Tournament with a joint runner-up outing in his debut appearance at Augusta National.

The 22-year-old Korean eclipsed countryman KJ Choi’s third place performance in 2004 with some glorious golf, closing with a three-under 69 for a 15-under 273 total. He finished five strokes behind winner Dustin Johnson, who earned his maiden Masters victory and 24th PGA Tour title with a tournament record of 20-under 268.

The 84th edition of the Masters was also notable for the fact that five Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) alumni played all four rounds.

Australian Cameron Smith, fourth at Singapore Island Country Club in 2011, shared second spot with Im after posting a 69. He also had the distinction of writing his name into the history books as the first player to post all four rounds in the 60s at the Masters.

Meanwhile Chinese Taipei’s CT Pan, runner up at Thailand’s Amata Spring Country Club in 2012, carded a 68 to end equal seventh. Thanks to those efforts, Smith and Pan have earned invites to the 2021 Masters.

Two-time AAC winner Hideki Matsuyama of Japan finished joint 13th, signing off with an even-par 72 for a 280 aggregate. Six shots further back in a share of 34th place was Korean Kim Si-woo, while Thai Jazz Janewattananond tied for 51st on 290. Jazz played in the AAC in 2010 and Kim lined-up in the AAC field in 2011.

Straight-shooting Im, who won The Honda Classic for his first PGA Tour victory in March, started the day four shots behind pace-setting Johnson. He narrowed the deficit to one stroke thanks to birdies on the second and third and Johnson bogeys on four and five. However, Johnson, the reigning FedEx Cup champion and world number one, then shifted into a higher gear to cruise home.

Finishing tied for second is unbelievable, and I’m proud of my game. This has been a memorable Masters for me, not only because this is my first appearance, but my initial goal at the start of the week was just to make a cut and get into the weekend,” said Im, the 2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

“My iron accuracy definitely wasn’t up to par as in the first two rounds, but my scrambling was pretty good,” said Im, who offset bogeys on six and seven with birdies at the eighth, 13th and 15th.

“Leading up to this week, I struggled with my putting a little bit. So I made a change with my putter, and I putted so well. I also made some nice approach shots and some good saves.”

Im paid tribute to Johnson who coasted to a runaway victory with an imperious performance, earning him a second career Major title. Johnson also bettered by two shots the previous 72-hole record at the Masters held by Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.

“Dustin definitely plays at another level. He makes the game look so easy. I really enjoyed playing with him, but I didn’t want to think that I was competing with him today. I just wanted to focus on my game and try to finish as strong as I can,” said Im, who became the third-youngest player after Spieth and Woods to finish in the top five at the Masters.