New Delhi [India], August 18 (ANI): Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama and Byeong Hun An of Korea face battles for survival on this week’s BMW Championship, the penultimate occasion within the FedExCup Playoffs, as they struggle for prized spots within the TOUR Championship the place USD 18 million awaits the brand new FedExCup champion.
Matsuyama, 31, has certified for the Playoffs Finale at East Lake, Atlanta for the previous 9 seasons which is a report for an energetic PGA TOUR member whereas a resurgent An is hoping to punch his ticket into the top-30 showpiece for the primary time to place the icing on the cake following a stellar season.
Korea’s Si Woo Kim, who enters the BMW Championship in seventeenth place within the FedExCup standings, is just about secure for a long-awaited return to the TOUR Championship since his rookie season in 2016 whereas Tom Kim, ranked 18th, is tipped to tee up in Playoffs Finale as effectively.
Sungjae Im, who posted a runner-up end on the TOUR Championship final season for Asia’s best-ever end FedExCup historical past, has work to do to get into his fifth straight TOUR Championship as he’s ranked twenty eighth coming into the week in Olympia Fields, Illinois.
“I have faith that I can make it to the TOUR Championship, and I know if I play my game, I can do it. So that’s my goal. I think if I keep this good form and continue to putt like this, it’s possible,” mentioned the 31-year-old An, who’s that includes within the Playoffs for the primary time since 2020.
An, who’s ranked thirty eighth within the FedExCup standings, is projected to require a minimum of a two-way tie for tenth place to have an opportunity of advancing into the Playoffs Finale. A return to Olympia Fields will present some confidence too as he completed T12 when the BMW Championship was final performed on the venue.
His placing has additionally been strong, having modified not too long ago to the broomstick putter on the recommendation of Adam Scott and Si Woo Kim.
“It’s a good decision to change the putter as a result,” An mentioned.
Matsuyama, ranked forty seventh, brilliantly performed his manner into the BMW Championship after a rousing end eventually week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship the place he made an eagle and birdie in his final three holes to squeeze into this week’s top-50 discipline.
To prolong his streak of getting performed in each TOUR Championship since 2014, the eight-time PGA TOUR winner wants to complete no decrease than a three-way tie for fourth place and be reliant on different gamers’ finishes as effectively. In 2020, Matsuyama completed joint third at Olympia Fields.”I’ve got to play better in order to make it to East Lake. I’m just going to give it my best shot,” mentioned the 2021 Masters champion.
After ending tied sixth final week, smooth-swinging Im hopes to experience on his momentum to get into the TOUR Championship in Atlanta once more, which is his US base.
“I was in the TOUR Championship for four consecutive years, so it will be my fifth if I can get in again this year. That is my goal,” mentioned the two-time PGA TOUR winner.
Since the inauguration of the FedExCup in 2007, the very best variety of Asian golfers who’ve made all of it the way in which to the TOUR Championship was three gamers final season when Im, Matsuyama and KH Lee certified amongst the highest 30. Im is relying on all 4 Koreans and Matsuyama to rewrite a small sliceof golf historical past this week.
“Si Woo and Tom are kind of safe, while me and Ben are not. I hope we play well and get into the TOUR Championship together,” he mentioned. (ANI)