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The American Express: Top 10 power rankings in California

By Mike Randleman

LA QUINTA, CA - JANUARY 21: A general view of the 18th hole during the final round of the CareerBuilder Challenge at the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West on January 21, 2018 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
LA QUINTA, CA - JANUARY 21: A general view of the 18th hole during the final round of the CareerBuilder Challenge at the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West on January 21, 2018 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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HONOLULU, HAWAII – JANUARY 07: Sungjae Im of South Korea looks on from the tenth tee during practice prior to the Sony Open in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club on January 07, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HAWAII – JANUARY 07: Sungjae Im of South Korea looks on from the tenth tee during practice prior to the Sony Open in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club on January 07, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) /

It’s Sungjae’s time. The 21-year-old South Korean’s stock continues to rise.

Im finished atop the Korn Ferry Tour money list two seasons ago. He’s the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. He was perhaps the best player on the International Presidents Cup team. And now he’s already got five top-25s to begin his 2019-2020 PGA Tour campaign.

And did I mention he won on the Korean Tour?

The man is on fire, and his consistent play continued last week where he battled tough conditions for a T-21 at the Sony Open.

He came closest to his first Tour title in the fall where he lost a playoff at the Sanderson Farms Championship to Sebastian Munoz.

No one was beating Tiger at the Zozo Championship, but Im was quietly six shots back to finish T-3.

He’s made six straight cuts and 12 of his last 13. Last season, he was 17th on Tour in total strokes gained (1.023). He was in the positive in every main category, including 23rd around the green (.285).

Im looked good in his 2019 American Express debut. Rounds of 71-65-64-71 netted him T-12. He gained .799 strokes putting while hitting over 66% fairways and greens.

Now that he’s making his second appearance at PGA Tour courses, I like him to use his course knowledge to turn those top-25s into top-10s, top-10s into title contentions.

Next. Wintering in the Hamptons: A chance to play winter golf. dark

That starts this week. I like Im to take advantage of a weak field and find the winner’s circle at the American Express for the first time of many.

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