NEWS AFFAIRS 7 : WHERE EVERY STORY HAS IT'S AFFAIR!
Key Points:
- Lim Sung-jae ranked 15th in the FedEx Cup.
- Achieved top 10 finishes in recent tournaments.
- Focused on mastering Pinehurst’s challenging greens.
- Aims to perform well and secure a spot in the Tour Championship.
Lim Sung-jae, one of South Korea’s top golfers, is preparing to make a significant impact at the US Open, the third major tournament of the 2024 season. This tournament will take place at the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s second course in North Carolina from June 14. Lim has shown remarkable performance recently, scoring 714.75 points in the last five competitions, including a joint eighth place at the Memorial Tournament last week. With four top 10 finishes this season, he is currently ranked 15th in the FedEx Cup.
Lim Sung-jae is eager to continue his strong performance at the U.S. Open. He acknowledged that his early season was challenging due to issues with his shots and putts. However, since last month, his game has improved significantly. “My shots and putts are now as good as when I was playing my best golf,” Lim said. “I aim to maintain this good form in major tournaments.”
Lim has performed well in special tournaments with more FedEx Cup points and prize money, such as The Sentry, the Wells Fargo Championship, and the Memorial Tournament. He is now targeting a top finish in a major tournament for the first time this season. Reflecting on his past major competitions, he said, “I did well in special competitions but failed to make the cut in major ones. This time, I want to show a different side. I will focus on passing the cut during weekdays and then aim to climb the leaderboard on weekends. I plan to approach the U.S. Open like a special tournament.”
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One of Lim’s main strategies for the U.S. Open is mastering Pinehurst’s tricky greens. The greens at Pinehurst are known for their unique shape, rising in the center like a pot lid with lower edges. This makes it crucial to understand the slopes and avoid putting the ball in difficult positions. “The greens are more challenging than they look,” Lim explained. “If you miss with an iron shot, the chance of making three putts increases. It’s essential to leave uphill putts and focus on precise shots.”
Lim emphasized the importance of aiming for par on Pinehurst’s long and obstacle-filled course. “There are no easy birdie holes here. It’s a success if you make par on all holes. The key is to avoid mistakes,” he said. Despite the challenges, Lim expressed his preference for tough courses like Pinehurst, saying, “I like difficult courses better than ones with many birdie opportunities. I will do my best to endure and perform well in this tournament.”
Lim’s confidence on difficult courses comes from his accurate driver and iron shots. “I’m very confident in hitting fairways, and I believe my long iron shots are among the best on the PGA Tour,” he said. “After making some adjustments to my takeaway and backswing, I’m hitting the ball straighter. Pinehurst is challenging, but I’m prepared to face it with precise shots.”
Looking ahead, Lim aims to compete in the Tour Championship for the sixth consecutive season by finishing in the top 30 of the FedEx Cup rankings. “It seemed tough to make the Tour Championship this season due to my early performance, but I’ve turned things around recently,” Lim said. “My hard work and constant research have helped me regain my form. If I do well in the U.S. Open and the Travelers Championship, I can continue my streak of consecutive Tour Championship appearances. I will keep accumulating FedEx Cup points and secure my spot this season.”
Lim Sung-jae’s determination and improved performance set the stage for an exciting showing at the 2024 U.S. Open. Golf fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can achieve his goals and make a significant mark in this major tournament.
