Harper Lin
There has been some speculation about golfer Sungjae Im's English-speaking abilities. Im, a 23-year-old from South Korea, won his first PGA Tour title at the 2020 Honda Classic. Despite his limited English, Im has made connections on Tour with his easy smile and hearty laugh. He has expressed that his peers are teaching him the language. Im's caddie, Albin Choi, is Canadian-born but of Korean descent and speaks fluent Korean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sungjae Im |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| English Proficiency | Limited |
| Military Service Status | Subject to mandatory military service |
| PGA Tour Title | 2020 Honda Classic |
| Top-10 Finishes | 6 |
| Caddie | Albin Choi |
| Caddie Nationality | Canadian |
| Caddie Descent | Korean |
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What You'll Learn
Sungjae Im's English fluency
Sungjae Im is a South Korean professional golfer. He won twice and was Player of the Year on the 2018 Web.com Tour. He was Rookie of the Year for the 2018–19 PGA Tour, and got his first PGA Tour victory at The Honda Classic in March 2020. Im turned professional in 2015 and has since participated in several golf tours and tournaments.
Im has limited English fluency. In an interview, he acknowledged that his colleagues on Tour were helping him learn English, saying, "The guys are teaching me." Despite his limited English, Im has had no trouble making connections on Tour. He has an easy smile and a hearty laugh, which has helped him connect with others despite the language barrier.
It is not uncommon for Korean celebrities to be fluent in English, and many have surprised fans with their proficiency. Some actors and celebrities have never studied abroad and have picked up the language to broaden their career opportunities and communicate with their foreign fans.
While Im's level of English fluency is not known, he seems to be making an effort to learn and improve. It is possible that his English skills have improved since his statement about learning from his colleagues, and he may now be more fluent. However, as of 2022, it appears that Im's primary language is still Korean, and he may prefer to speak it to convey his answers accurately and respectfully.
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Im's military service
As South Korean citizens, both golfer Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim are subject to mandatory military service. All able-bodied South Korean men are required to spend between 18 and 21 months serving their nation upon turning 19 years old. However, this can be delayed for valid reasons, such as studying or working abroad. Women are not mandated to perform military service but may voluntarily join the military. Objection to military service, for any reason, is not allowed and will lead to jail time.
Dual citizens must choose one citizenship by their 18th birthday, and they will not have to complete their military service if they revoke their Korean citizenship. People with dual citizenship with Korea and any other country are required to choose which country to keep their citizenship for by 18, and if they choose Korea, they must also enlist if they are male.
The International Military Staff (IMS) is the executive body of the Military Committee (MC), NATO's senior military authority. The IMS consists of approximately 500 military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries, working from NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The IMS provides strategic and military advice and staff support for the MC, which advises the North Atlantic Council on military aspects of policy, operations, and transformation within the Alliance. The Operations and Planning (O&P) Division closely monitors NATO operations, manages Advance Plans, follows exercises and training, and provides advice on all related ongoing and unfolding military operations. The Policy and Capabilities (P&C) Division has the military lead within the IMS for all matters related to Alliance defence policy and analysis.
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Im's golf career
Im Sung-jae, also known as Sungjae Im, is a South Korean professional golfer. Born on 30 March 1998, Im turned professional in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, he played on the Japan Golf Tour, with his best finish being joint runner-up in the 2017 Mynavi ABC Championship. He also played several tournaments on the Korean Tour, with his best finish being joint runner-up in the 2017 T-up Gswing Mega Open.
Im had a standout 2018 season on the Web.com Tour, winning twice and being named Player of the Year. He was also named Rookie of the Year for the 2018–19 PGA Tour, and secured his first PGA Tour victory at The Honda Classic in March 2020. He finished the season with six other top-10 finishes. In December 2019, Im represented the International team at the 2019 Presidents Cup in Australia, winning three of the five matches he played.
In November 2020, Im finished tied for second place at the Masters Tournament, five shots behind Dustin Johnson. The following year, in October 2021, he won the Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas, Nevada, claiming his second PGA Tour title. Im's short game has been a particular strength, contributing to three top-5 finishes in 2023. In May 2023, he returned to South Korea to play in the Woori Financial Group Championship on the Korean Tour, winning by one shot.
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Im's caddie, Albin Choi
In 2020, Canadian golfer Albin Choi was asked by PGA Tour player Sungjae Im to caddy for him at the Honda Classic. Choi, who is of Korean descent and speaks fluent English and Korean, also served as Im's translator. Choi had previously played on the Korn Ferry Tour and in the PGA Tour's Canadian Open, and he and Im had become friends in 2018 while playing together on the Korn Ferry Tour.
In his first week as a caddie on the PGA Tour, Choi helped guide Im to his first PGA Tour victory, winning his first PGA title. Choi received 10% of Im’s $1.26 million paycheck, along with the base caddie rate and a healthy tip. Choi described caddying as "hard", and the experience gave him a unique view of the game at its highest level.
Choi's time as a caddie enabled him to get back on his financial feet, and he was able to resume his own playing career. He returned to playing professional golf at the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour's LECOM Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. He had struggled financially after losing his Korn Ferry Tour card and was working as a caddie at the Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens.
Choi was a college All-American and was once considered one of the best to come out of Canada in the last 50 years. After turning pro in 2013, he faced financial struggles and a lack of dedication. However, his connection with Im provided a momentary lifeline, and he was able to stay on as Im's caddie through the end of the season.
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Im's new house in Atlanta
Golfer Sungjae Im's English is limited, but he has had no trouble making connections on Tour. He says: "The guys are teaching me". Im is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and bought a new house there at the end of 2021.
IMS Management Services
IMS Management Services is a professional consulting firm based at 174 Woodward Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, US. The company provides comprehensive management solutions to businesses of all sizes, with a focus on efficiency and strategic planning. They offer a range of services, including financial analysis and project management, to help organizations streamline operations and maximize productivity.
Atlanta House Design
The interior designer Sally Wilkinson has worked on a 1990s house in Atlanta, giving it a richly layered look influenced by her time in England. Wilkinson softened the architectural features to improve the sense of flow, stripping the pine floors to achieve a paler, more natural finish. She also added a white slurry wash to the kitchen and breakfast room to harmonize the space. The exterior gives an uber-modern impression, while the interiors are all about country charm.
Art is an important feature of the interiors, with botanical prints by Kate Friend in the entrance hall setting the tone for the colours used in the adjacent rooms. Vintage Scandinavian corded chairs, a vintage rug, and bold oil paintings also feature. The house has a clear sense of purpose, with each room designed for a specific use, and a cohesive feel.
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Frequently asked questions
Im Sung-jae has limited English but is learning with the help of his peers.
Im Sung-jae is from Jeju Island, South Korea.
Im Sung-jae won twice and was Player of the Year on the 2018 Web.com Tour. He was also Rookie of the Year for the 2018–19 PGA Tour and got his first PGA Tour victory at The Honda Classic in March 2020.
