Im Sung-jae crumbled under the pressure of pursuing his first victory in over four years, finishing tied for fourth at the Valspar Championship.
At the final round held Sunday at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club's Copperhead Course (par 71) in Palm Harbor, Florida, Im shot 3-over-par 74 with two birdies and five bogeys. The $9.1 million PGA Tour event saw Im, who had held sole possession of first place through the first three rounds, slip to a tie for fourth at 8-under-par 276.
Im entered the final round with a two-stroke lead over second place but faltered from the start, apparently burdened by the prospect of his first win since 2020. After consecutive bogeys on holes 2 and 3, he recorded five bogeys through the 10th hole (par 4), causing him to drop in the standings. Although Im failed to secure his third career victory, his first top-10 finish of the season brightens his outlook for the Masters in early April.
Im began his season in March after recovering from a wrist injury. He missed the cut in consecutive tournaments at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship. However, his solo lead through three rounds at this event demonstrated he remains among the tour's elite.
Matt Fitzpatrick of England claimed the title with a final total of 11-under-par 273. Fitzpatrick was tied for the lead with David Lipsky of the United States through the 17th hole (par 3) but sank a 4-meter birdie putt on the final hole (par 4) to secure a one-stroke victory.
Fitzpatrick captured his third tour victory, his first since the RBC Heritage in April 2023. He earned $1.638 million (approximately 2.46 billion won) in prize money. Trailing leader Im by three strokes in a tie for fourth after three rounds, Fitzpatrick celebrated a come-from-behind win.
Lipsky, who is of Korean descent through his mother, finished solo second, one stroke back. Jordan Smith of England placed solo third, one stroke behind Lipsky. Kim Seong-hyeon added 1-under-par to finish tied for seventh at 7-under-par, his first top-10 result in one year and 10 months since tying for fourth at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May 2024. Kim Joo-hyung finished tied for 18th at 4-under-par.