10 Things You Didn't Know About Sungjae Im

A Korean star in the making, here are ten things you didn't already know about Sungjae Im.

10 Things You Didn't Know About Sungjae Im
(Image credit: Getty Images)

10 Things You Didn't Know About Sungjae Im

1. Im grew up in golf-mad Jeju Island and first started playing golf when he was four-years old because he followed his mum to an indoor practice facility. Just four years later, Im beat his father for the first time.

2. It was clear he had talent for the game. He got his first coach at 7, joined a Korean golf academy at 12 and then turned professional at 17. 

3. His parents (Ji Taek Im and Mi Kim) followed him to every tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Sungjae Im presidents cup

(Image credit: Getty Images)

4. Im earned $1,260,000 for his one-stroke victory at the 2020 Honda Classic, and the same amount for his second PGA Tour win at the 2021 Shriners Children's Open.

5. Im earned the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award in 2019.

6. He also earned a spot on Ernie Els' 2019 Presidents Cup team in which he won 3 matches, halved one, and lost one in a very impressive display.

7. Im loves his food and has no desire to change his diet to give himself an extra edge in the modern game. His favorite dish is Jeju Black Pig and whilst travelling around the United States he regularly searches for Korean restaurants.

8. Whilst competing he never uses a ball with the number 4 on it because in South Korea the number represents death.

9. Im grew up playing The Club at Nine Bridges which later became the host of The CJ Cup tournament on the PGA Tour.

10. Whilst playing junior golf tournaments he would often compete against fellow professional Si Woo Kim.

Sam Tremlett
Senior Staff Writer

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer/adidas Tour 360 22