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Arnold Palmer Invitational: Top 10 power rankings at Bay Hill

By Mike Randleman

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: A general view of the 18th hole is seen during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 22, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: A general view of the 18th hole is seen during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 22, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 01: Sungjae Im of South Korea poses with the trophy after winning the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa Champion course on March 01, 2020 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 01: Sungjae Im of South Korea poses with the trophy after winning the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa Champion course on March 01, 2020 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

It just seemed like a matter of time. Sungjae Im was winless in 2018-19, but the young South Korean star did plenty to show us he was worthy of PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors.

Now, the 21-year-old has backed it up with his first career win at the Honda Classic. It was redemption after coming up one shot short in the fall at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

"“I was a little disappointed the way the Sanderson Farms ended. Very similar spot to what I was in today,” Im said in a transcript by ASAP Sports. “Finished with a one-shot lead and had to wait on the guys coming in, and so drawing upon that experience I felt like it made me hungrier for today to go out and get that win, and just having come so close, it’s just very happy everything worked out the way it did and I’m just happy to get the win.”"

Im (72-66-70-66) was a machine at PGA National, gaining over 12 strokes to lead the field in strokes gained tee to green. He hit 67.86% fairways and 69.44% greens in regulation. The putter came around on Sunday to deliver the victory. He showed some stones by playing the difficult stretch of holes 15-17, aka the Bear Trap, in 2-under.

His ball-striking will come in handy at Bay Hill, too. On the season, he ranks 34th in SG tee to green (.828). Im can win US Open-like tests like the Honda, but he can also succeed when low scores are necessary. He’s 11th in birdie average (4.44).

South Korea’s top player has made eight cuts out of nine not counting a win on the Korean Tour. In that span, which includes some no-cut events, Im owns eight top-25s.

He contended in his first trip to the API. Im finished T-3 (71-69-71-68) and just three shots behind champion Francesco Molinari.

Im is a workhorse who made 35 starts in 2020. Teeing it up the week after a win shouldn’t faze him too much.

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