Dreaming in Green: Im’s Augusta Journey Continues as McIlroy Makes History
Korea’s Sungjae Im posts another Masters top-10 while Rory McIlroy claims his long-awaited green jacket in dramatic playoff
Seoul, Korea - Sungjae Im added another sparkling chapter to his Masters journey on a fateful Sunday at Augusta National, posting a three-under-par 69 to finish tied-fifth and secure his third career top-10 at the year’s first major.
The 27-year-old Korean, already a two-time PGA TOUR winner, was once again the top-performing Asian in the field, his 7-under 281 total putting him four strokes adrift of history-maker Rory McIlroy, who edged Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff to complete the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy’s triumph came laced with drama. He opened with a double bogey, endured two more dropped shots on the back nine, yet battled back with birdies at 15 and 17. A missed par putt on the 72nd hole threatened to derail his destiny, but a wedge to four feet in extra time delivered the moment he’d dreamt of for years. “It’s a dream come true,” said the Northern Irishman, now the sixth man to win all four majors.
For Im, Augusta was once again a canvas for brilliance. With four birdies and a stunning eagle on the par-5 13th, he displayed the kind of course knowledge that only comes with experience. “It was a good week and finishing top-5 shows I can compete here,” he said. “Rory made his dream come true today and hopefully my time will come one day.”
Im’s final round was sprinkled with magic, not least when he spun a wedge back to four feet on the 7th and flushed a long iron into the heart of 13 to set up eagle. The finish was gritty too, as he saved par from a bunker on 18 to ensure another Masters memory was safely banked.
Behind him, Hideki Matsuyama closed with a 66 to share 21st with Byeong Hun An. Tom Kim fell away with a 79. But on a day of dreams and drama, it was Im who flew the flag highest for Asia — and McIlroy who finally found peace in green.