Im Sung-jae will chase his first victory in four years and seven months at the second of back-to-back Texas events on the PGA Tour, with the tour ranking him as the second-most likely contender to win.
Im will tee off Thursday at the Charles Schwab Challenge, which begins May 28 (local time) at Colonial Country Club (par 70) in Fort Worth, Texas, with a total purse of $9.9 million. Marking its 80th anniversary this year, the Charles Schwab Challenge is the second tournament held in Texas, following The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, which concluded last week.
Several top players have skipped the field, as next week's Memorial Tournament is a signature event. Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, both popular figures in the Texas region, have opted out. Brooks Koepka, who returned to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf this year, along with Wyndham Clark, the winner of the previous CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and Kim Si-woo, the runner-up, are also taking a break.
With major players absent, Im's chances of winning have improved. He finished tied for ninth at last week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Having made seven cuts in 10 tournaments this season, Im has been ranked second among players the PGA Tour considers most likely to win.
Im, who has two career PGA Tour victories, last won at the Shriners Children's Open in October 2021. The PGA Tour selected Justin Thomas as the top contender. Kim Joo-hyung will also compete alongside Im as the other Korean entrant.
Defending champion Ben Griffin will look to defend his title, while Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, who has yet to win this season but has recorded five top-5 finishes in 11 tournaments, is also drawing attention.
The tournament is famous for awarding the winner a classic car. This year's champion will receive a fully restored 1982 Jeep Scrambler. Equipped with a 6.4-liter, 485-horsepower engine, the Jeep Scrambler features the Charles Schwab emblem and logo inside, with an interior finished in genuine leather accented with the royal tartan check fabric that is a symbol of Colonial.
