Pro Golf Now
Fansided

CJ Cup: Top 10 power rankings at The Club at Nine Bridges

By Mike Randleman

JEJU, SOUTH KOREA - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Armour of United States on the 18th hole during the final round of the CJ Cup at the Nine Bridges on October 21, 2018 in Jeju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
JEJU, SOUTH KOREA - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Armour of United States on the 18th hole during the final round of the CJ Cup at the Nine Bridges on October 21, 2018 in Jeju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
JEJU, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 18: Im Sung-Jae of South Korea plays a tee shot on the 3rd hole during the first round of the CJ Cup at the Nine Bridges on October 18, 2018 in Jeju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
JEJU, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 18: Im Sung-Jae of South Korea plays a tee shot on the 3rd hole during the first round of the CJ Cup at the Nine Bridges on October 18, 2018 in Jeju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /

Sungjae Im is my best bet among the Korean contingent in the field this week, which also features a PGA Tour winner in Byeong Hun An (who just missed the cut for this week’s power rankings).

Im has the advantage of already playing in Korea last week, where he stormed back from seven shots down to win the Korean Tour’s Genesis Championship by two shots. It was his first worldwide victory since hoisting two trophies in 2018 on the Korn Ferry Tour.

The workhorse also took a rare week off the week prior, so perhaps he’s feeling refreshed. He’s teed it up a whopping 34 times worldwide in the 2019 calendar year.

The reps paid off, though. The 21-year-old was crowned PGA Tour Rookie of the Year thanks to seven top-10s and a boatload of top-25s.

Im was 17th in total strokes gained (1.023) and had positive SG marks across the board, including 23rd around the green (.285).

This is his second CJ Cup appearance after finishing T-41 in 2018 (73-71-71-69). Im is a Jeju Island native and has played this course as much as anybody. I’m guessing some nerves were involved in what was his second PGA Tour start last year.

Im was a solo second a few weeks ago at the Sanderson Farms Championship in what was his closest call at a PGA Tour win. He’s bound to find the winner’s circle sooner or later. This would be an ideal spot for him to seal the deal.

Home/Golf Power Rankings