MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 8, 2022

Sungjae Im

Quick Quotes

Q. Sungjae, when you look up on the leaderboard and you see your name up there, what starts going through your mind as you're playing the back nine?

SUNGJAE IM: Yes, I had quite a few sneak peeks at the leaderboard. The weather was very fluctuating today. The wind directions and everything were very confusing when I was trying to decide on hitting shots. Some of the headwinds with the iron selection was difficult, but things didn't go well, but I still have two more days.

Q. Sungjae, there's only been one Korean male to win a major championship. What do you think would be the impact in Korea if a Korean was to win this championship?

SUNGJAE IM: That's why I want the PGA Championship, but, again, the goal was never to win. At this moment I still have some golf to play, and if I continue to just focus on my game and just hit shot after shot, round after round, I think it will come to good results.

Q. Do you have any thoughts on what it would mean in terms of how much attention it would get in his homeland if he wins?

SUNGJAE IM: If I win a major championship, it will certainly have a huge impact in a variety of ways, but for junior golfers looking up to me and having dreams to come out and play here, it will definitely have a positive impact on them. So if that happens, it will certainly have a positive impact.

Q. Over the last year how much has your communication with Billy improved?

SUNGJAE IM: We've almost worked together for a year now. Communication on the course has been okay and gotten a lot better. Still not too fluent in English, so there's some disconnect there, but we've been working great as a team.

Q. What is the level of communication in terms of -- I guess is it just kind of limited to direction, wind, and things like that, or are they able to communicate on any kind of level?

SUNGJAE IM: There's definitely not too much of a detailed conversation, but easy, casual conversation, and Billy is good at using easy words, so we've been going back and forth and having a good conversation.

Q. Women professionals in Korea have extremely high popularity. Would you explain why that is versus the Koreans' interest in the men's game? Among those that play over here, the Korean players.

SUNGJAE IM: It's hard to compare, but just I think personally the number of wins that the women generate versus the number of wins that we generate out here on the PGA Tour. It just gives more excitement for fans to watch the ladies play compared to us, but over the years I think the number of fans have grown.

Q. Sungjae, when the conditions are difficult and windy like this, are there any thoughts that you come back to that help you focus and play your best golf, thoughts that you come back to when you are on the course to help you focus and play your best golf?

SUNGJAE IM: Just shot after shot. I know everyone struggles in the wind, and I do as well, but just mentally being focused and staying composed throughout the round is important.