PGA Tour star seeks to become first two-time winner at event marking its 10th anniversary

Im Sung-jae after winning the 2019 Genesis Championship [Organizing Committee]
Im Sung-jae after winning the 2019 Genesis Championship [Organizing Committee]

PGA Tour player Im Sung-jae has confirmed his entry in the Genesis Championship, to be held Oct. 22-25 at Ujeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. Competing for the second consecutive year, Im will chase what would be the tournament's first-ever two-time title.

The Genesis Championship holds special significance for Im, who is making his fourth appearance at the event this year. At his debut in 2019, he claimed his first professional victory anywhere, leaving a lasting impression on Korean fans. His record as the tournament's youngest champion — set at 21 years, six months and 13 days — still stands. He finished tied for second in his second appearance in 2023, and although he ended last year tied for 42nd, he had shared the lead through the second round, consistently delivering strong performances at the event.

"The Genesis Championship is a special event where I won my first title on Korean soil," Im said. "I'm really looking forward to competing again in front of Korean fans at this meaningful stage as it celebrates its 10th anniversary." He added that he was determined to make up for last year's disappointment. "I'll make sure to get enough rest and put in solid preparation over the remaining time, so I can play without regrets and deliver a good result," he said.

Now in its 10th year, the Genesis Championship is South Korea's largest international professional golf tournament, co-sanctioned by the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour with a total purse of $4 million. Past champions include inaugural winner Kim Seung-hyeok as well as Lee Tae-hee, Im Sung-jae, Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Jae-kyeong, Kim Young-su, Park Sang-hyeon, An Byeong-hun and Lee Jeong-hwan — a roll call of leading figures in Korean golf.

This year's field will feature 126 top players from South Korea and abroad, including the top 36 in the Genesis Points standings. The tournament serves as the final event of the "Back 9" stretch of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai and the last qualifying opportunity for the season-ending playoff, making for an especially competitive field.

The winner will receive $680,000 in prize money along with a Genesis vehicle and a two-year playing exemption on both the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour from 2027 through 2028. The champion will also earn 1,300 Genesis Points and 835 Race to Dubai ranking points.

In addition, the highest-finishing KPGA Tour player in the field will receive an invitation to the Genesis Scottish Open, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour in 2027. With the tournament carrying significant weight in the late-season Genesis Points race, fierce competition is expected among KPGA Tour players chasing the Genesis Award and a top-10 finish in the Genesis Points standings, both of which come with bonus prize money and other benefits.


yjc@heraldcorp.com