(image: Andrew Redington)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - It's not often that we see a dominating performance during a final round on the PGA Tour.
But that is exactly what we saw Sungjae Im pull off today.
The 36-hole co-leader shot a 9-under 62 for his final round to win the 2021 Shriners Children's Open. His final score was 24-under and good enough to win by four shots over Matthew Wolff.
This is Im's second PGA Tour win, his last being the 2020 Honda Classic. It is also Im's 100th event played on tour and what better way to celebrate that. His win also puts him second in the FedEx Cup Rankings and he takes home a check for $1.26 million.
IM VS TPC AT SUMMERLIN: BATTLE ROYAL
At the start of his final round, Im was three shots behind leader Adam Schenk. Knowing he needed a good start to close the gap and apply pressure, Im set off.
Right away, battle began between Im and TPC at Summerlin, with Im carding birdies on the 1st and 4th holes, then going on to make more birdies on the 6th, 7th, and 9th holes. He made the turn onto the back nine in 30, already 5-under for the day.
What Im was able to pull of next was nothing short of spectacular. On the par 4 10th hole, Im put his approach shot to 22 feet and sank the impressive birdie putt. On the par 4 11th hole, Im took dead aim at the flag and stuck his approach to 8 feet, sinking the birdie putt. It was rinse and repeat on the par 4 12th hole, with another approach shot to 9 feet, then drained birdie putt.
At the par 5 13th hole, Im was short with his second shot to take on the green in two, but a great chip for his third left him with a tap-in birdie.
Im was 9-under on the day at this point and at 24-under; a runaway was looking imminent. But, Im cooled down over the remaining holes, perhaps playing more conservatively now after attaining such a lead. No one managed to catch him however.
Not only did Im put on an approach shot masterclass on Sunday, he followed it up with solid putting. Being hot in both of these areas, especially throughout a final round, is impressive.
Im's final round 62 was the low round of the day and his performance over the week should come as no surprise for anyone. As we wrote about in our Weekend Update post, Im has an incredible work ethic and commitment to the PGA Tour, playing as many events in a season as he can.
HOW DID OUR PICKS FINISH?
1) Louis Oosthuizen: T14 at 15-under
2) Nick Watney: T56 at 7-underAnother Top 15 performance from Oosthuizen, to no one's surprise really, after a 69/68 over the weekend. Watney will be disappointed with his performance, particularly on Saturday after shooting a 73.
***
That wraps up our coverage of the 2021 Shriners Children's Open from TPC at Summerlin. What a tournament this was and officially the first dominant win on the PGA Tour this season.
Our coverage stays in Las Vegas next week for the CJ Cup, hosted by The Summit Club. This is one of the more elite events on tour and always boasts a strong field.
Stay tuned for our preview and picks for the tournament,
-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews
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