Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Im Sung-jae

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 11, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Im Sung-jae made an impact.

Im Sung-jae is a South Korean professional golfer who has achieved notable success in his career. He earned two victories and Player of the Year honors on the 2018 Web.com Tour. Transitioning to the PGA Tour, Im was named Rookie of the Year for the 2018-19 season. His first PGA Tour victory came at The Honda Classic in March 2020, solidifying his position as a rising star in the world of golf.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Turned Professional

In 2015, Im Sung-jae transitioned into a professional golfer, marking the beginning of his professional career.

2016: Played on the Japan Golf Tour

In 2016, Im Sung-jae began playing on the Japan Golf Tour, where he started competing professionally.

December 2017: Second in Web.com Tour Q-school

In December 2017, Im Sung-jae finished second in the Web.com Tour Q-school, which included a notable third round score of 60.

2017: Runner-up Finish and Korean Tour Tournaments

In 2017, Im Sung-jae had a joint runner-up finish in the Mynavi ABC Championship on the Japan Golf Tour. He also participated in several tournaments on the Korean Tour, achieving a joint runner-up finish in the 2017 T-up Gswing Mega Open.

2018: Web.com Tour Player of the Year

In 2018, Im Sung-jae was named Player of the Year on the Web.com Tour, marking a significant achievement in his career.

2018: Qualified for the Tour Championship

In 2018, Im became just the 13th rookie to qualify for the Tour Championship in the FedEx Cup era.

September 2019: Lost Playoff at Sanderson Farms Championship

On 22 September 2019, Im Sung-jae participated in the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi, where he lost in a playoff to Sebastián Muñoz.

December 2019: Presidents Cup

In December 2019, Im Sung-jae represented the International team at the 2019 Presidents Cup held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, where the U.S. team emerged victorious with a score of 16-14. Im contributed to his team with a 3-1-1 record, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Gary Woodland.

2019: PGA Tour Rookie of the Year

In the 2018-19 PGA Tour season, Im Sung-jae was awarded the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, demonstrating his outstanding performance in his first year.

March 2020: First PGA Tour Victory at The Honda Classic

In March 2020, Im Sung-jae secured his first PGA Tour victory at The Honda Classic.

March 2020: Won The Honda Classic

On March 1, 2020, Im Sung-jae secured a victory at The Honda Classic held at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with a final round score of 66 and an overall score of −6, finishing one stroke ahead of Mackenzie Hughes and advancing to second place in the FedEx Cup standings.

November 2020: Finished Tied for Second at Masters Tournament

In November 2020, Im Sung-jae achieved a notable result by finishing tied for second place at the Masters Tournament, trailing Dustin Johnson by five shots.

October 2021: Won Shriners Children's Open

On 10 October 2021, Im Sung-jae won the Shriners Children's Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada for his second PGA Tour title in his 100th start. Im shot a final round 9-under 62 and won by four shots over Matthew Wolff, coming from three behind at the start of the day.

2022: Presidents Cup Qualification

In 2022, Im Sung-jae qualified for the International team at the Presidents Cup, where he played in five matches, winning two, tying one, and losing two.