Jackson Reid
Golf is a sport that originated in Scotland, where players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes using a bent stick or club. The first written record of golf is James II's banning of the game in 1457 as a distraction from learning archery. However, the game gained popularity when James IV became a golfer himself and lifted the ban in 1502. The oldest golf course in the world is in Musselburgh Links, East Lothian, Scotland, which has been played on as early as 2 March 1672. The sport spread throughout 16th-century Europe thanks to this royal endorsement and was introduced to England by King Charles I and to France by Mary Queen of Scots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sungjae Im |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Birthplace | Cheongju, South Korea |
| Education | Korea National Sport University |
| Career Wins | 2 |
| Top 10 (2025) | 3 |
| OWGR | 30th |
| Favorite Dish | Jeju Black Pig |
| Golf Clubs | Titleist |
| Favorite Golf Courses | Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head, Turnberry |
| Golf Highlights | Albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour, and a hole-in-one at the age of 15 |
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What You'll Learn
Sungjae Im's golfing career
Sungjae Im is a South Korean professional golfer. Born on March 30, 1998, in Cheongju, South Korea, Im turned pro in 2015. He played on the Japan Golf Tour in 2016 and 2017, with his best finish being joint runner-up in the 2017 Mynavi ABC Championship. He also played on the Korean Tour, with his best finish being joint runner-up in the 2017 T-up Gswing Mega Open.
In 2017, Im finished second in the Web.com Tour Q-school, and went on to win the first event of the season, The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic. At 19 years old, he became the second-youngest winner in Web.com Tour history. He was named Player of the Year on the 2018 Web.com Tour and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year for the 2018-19 season.
Im captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic in March 2020, winning by one stroke with a final-round 66. He went on to win his second PGA Tour title at the Shriners Children's Open in October 2021, shooting a final-round 62 to win by four strokes. He has also had notable finishes at the ZOZO Championship (T3), Sanderson Farms Championship (runner-up), and the Masters Tournament (T2).
Im represented the International team at the Presidents Cup in 2019, 2022, and 2024. He has also competed in other notable tournaments such as the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, the Valspar Championship, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
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Im's life on the road
Sungjae Im, the South Korean PGA Tour rookie of the year, leads a nomadic life on the PGA Tour. He does not have a home base in the United States, despite spending the majority of his time there. Instead, he moves from hotel to hotel, focusing on his simple routine of eating, sleeping, and playing golf.
Im's dedication to his sport is evident in his daily routine. When he is not playing golf, he spends his time practicing at locations like PGA West in Palm Springs. He also prioritises finding Korean restaurants in each city he visits, as he loves Jeju Black Pig, a speciality from his hometown of Jeju Island.
Im's impressive golfing career includes playing on 35 of the top 100 golf courses worldwide. His favourite courses include Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head, and Turnberry. One of his most memorable achievements was making an albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa. Im's talent and consistency have earned him a spot in the Tour Championship, where he was the only newcomer in 2019.
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Jin Hee Im's LPGA Tour
Jin Hee Im is a professional golfer from South Korea who currently competes on the LPGA Tour. Born on May 24, 1998, in Jeju-do, South Korea, Im took up golf at a young age. She turned professional in 2016, joining the KLPGA Tour.
Im's professional career started slowly, and she had to wait until 2021 for her first victory at the BC Card Hankyung Ladies Cup. This win proved to be a catalyst for her, and she went on to achieve six career victories on the KLPGA Tour, including four in a dominant 2023 season.
In 2024, Im made her rookie season debut on the LPGA Tour, where she continued to impress. She earned six top-10 finishes across 24 starts, highlighted by a T2 finish at the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. This performance helped her secure second place in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race, behind Mao Saigo.
Im's success on the LPGA Tour has led to significant sponsorship opportunities. In 2025, she signed a main sponsorship deal with Shinhan Financial Group and also serves as a Titleist brand ambassador. With her impressive performances on the LPGA Tour, Im has established herself as a rising star in the world of golf.
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Im's favourite golf courses
South Korean golfer Sungjae Im is one of the best players of his generation. He has played 35 of the world's top 100 golf courses and has a few favourites among them.
Sunningdales
Sunningdale Golf Club is located in Sunningdale, Berkshire, England. The club has two 18-hole golf courses, the Old Course and the New Course, both of which are consistently ranked among the best golf courses in England.
Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa Golf Club is located in Lincolnshire, England. The club features two links-style courses, the Hotchkin Course and the Kinnerton Course, which are known for their challenging layouts and natural beauty.
Western Gailes
Western Gailes Golf Club is located on the west coast of Scotland, just north of Ayr. It is a traditional links course known for its stunning views of the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran. The course is renowned for its natural beauty and challenging play, with rolling fairways and deep bunkers.
Old Head
Old Head Golf Links is a unique and dramatic course located on a cliff-top peninsula in County Cork, Ireland. The course offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding coastline, with holes playing alongside the cliffs and through ancient ruins.
Turnberry
Turnberry is a luxury golf resort located on the west coast of Scotland, known for its iconic Ailsa Course. The course has hosted several prestigious tournaments, including The Open Championship, and offers stunning views of the Irish Sea and the Isle of Arran.
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Im's superstitions
Golfers are notoriously superstitious, and Sungjae Im is no exception. Here are some of the superstitions that Im might hold dear:
Lucky Colours
Im might believe that certain colours bring good luck. One of the most well-known superstitions in golf is that of Tiger Woods, who often wears a red shirt during tournament finals, a belief that the colour represents power. Im might have his own lucky colour, perhaps wearing a particular colour during important matches or using golf balls of a certain shade.
Ball Numbers
Many golfers refuse to use golf balls numbered higher than four, believing that this will lead to a higher score. This superstition is so common that companies like Titleist only sell balls numbered one to four. Im may be a stickler for this superstition, only ever using balls with low numbers.
Unlucky Clubs
Golfers often believe that one of their clubs is unlucky. Im might have a club that he believes brings bad luck, leaving it in his bag during games or risking transferring the curse to another club. On the other hand, he might believe that once a club is chosen, it must be used, never changing his mind on club selection.
Pocket Superstitions
Some golfers believe it's bad luck to play with items in their pockets, while others think that empty pockets lead to poor performance. Im might always play with a particular item in his pocket, such as a lucky coin or a personal belonging. He could also be a believer in the power of threes, like Tom Weiskoff and Jack Nicklaus, carrying three tees or three coins during a game.
Rituals
Golfers often have rituals they perform during a game, such as tapping the inside of the cup with their ball after a good putt. Im may have his own rituals that he believes bring good luck or ward off bad luck.
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Frequently asked questions
Sungjae Im is a South Korean golfer and PGA Tour rookie of the year.
Sungjae Im is from Cheongju, South Korea.
Sungjae Im's favourite food is Jeju Black Pig.
Sungjae Im plays off a six handicap.
Sungjae Im uses a full bag of Titleist clubs.
