Im Flying the Flag for Asia Again
Korea’s Sungjae Im rekindles Augusta magic to lead Asian hopes at the 2025 Masters
Augusta, Georgia - Sungjae Im returned to his happy hunting ground with a composed opening 71 to sit as Asia’s leading man after the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
Im, runner-up here in 2020, traded three birdies with two bogeys to finish at one-under, six behind early leader Justin Rose. With pin positions tight and greens slick, his solid round left him tied 11th – a promising start in the year’s first major.
“It’s a solid start. Played quite nicely all day and kept the ball in play for much of my round,” said Im, who has two PGA TOUR wins to his name. His birdie charge came on the back nine, with long putts dropping at the 10th and 12th, and a neat finish at the 18th after a second bogey on 17.
The 27-year-old’s early-season form had gone off the boil after strong January showings at The Sentry and Farmers Insurance Open. But his tidy touch around Augusta’s treacherous greens showed flashes of the Im of old. “You have to be patient around here and I did that,” he said. “Managed to come in with a few birdies on the back nine. It is always great to come back here and I’ve got good memories.”
Im wasn’t the only Asian making waves. Singaporean amateur Hiroshi Tai, making his debut thanks to his 2024 NCAA individual title, carded a brave 73. The Georgia Tech student thrilled fans with birdies at the 8th and 18th, though Rae’s Creek punished him with a double bogey at 13.
“Definitely a little different, but a really good experience,” said Tai. “I played really solid today, just one bad wedge shot on 13… Wind was kind of swirling there. Biggest adjustment tomorrow is just getting enough rest and taking a couple more deep breaths.”
Hideki Matsuyama, champion here in 2021, and Tom Kim, the Korean rising star, also signed for matching 73s. For now, Im holds the torch – steady, confident and very much in the hunt.