By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Yonhap) -- Two South Korean golfers are bound for this year's Presidents Cup, the biennial match play competition pitting non-European international players against Americans.
The top eight players for the International Team, based on the points standings, were finalized following the BMW Championship in Delaware on Sunday (local time). Im Sung-jae, a two-time PGA Tour winner, was the top South Korean at No. 3, with the 20-year-old rookie sensation Kim Joo-hyung coming in at No. 5.
In this photo captured from the official website for the Presidents Cup on Aug. 22, 2022, South Korean golfer Kim Joo-hyung poses next to the winner's trophy while draped in a flag bearing the logo of the International Team. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
This year's Presidents Cup will be played at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Sept. 20-25.
Im will be making his second Presidents Cup appearance. He went 3-1-1 in his debut in 2019, tied with Abraham Ancer for the best record on the International Team in its 16-14 loss.
Im is also the highest-ranked South Korean player at No. 19.
Kim, ranked 20th in the world, will be playing in his first Presidents Cup, thanks to a red-hot summer that saw him go from playing on the PGA Tour on a temporary membership to a first-time winner at the Wyndham Championship earlier this month.
Kim earned his full-time PGA Tour card for next season with that breakthrough win.
"As I look at the landscape of international golf, it is great to see so much young talent breaking through and right at the top of that list is Tom Kim," International Team's captain Trevor Immelman said, referring to Kim by his English name. "His incredible play this summer vaulted him into the top eight on our points list, and watching his Sunday performance at the Wyndham Championship give way to his first victory on the PGA Tour was a tremendous moment for the International Team, as well as our game. I can't wait for him to bring his youthful energy to Quail Hollow Club next month."
In this Getty Images photo, Im Sung-jae of South Korea tees off on the third hole during the final round of the BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, on Aug. 21, 2022. (Yonhap)
Others in the top eight are: Cameron Smith of Australia, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, Joaquin Niemann of Chile, Corey Conners of Canada, Adam Scott of Australia, and Mito Pereira of Chile.
Immelman will announce four captain's picks on Sept. 7.
Another South Korean player, Lee Kyoung-hoon, finished in ninth place in the standings and the two-time PGA Tour winner will likely be considered for a captain's selection.
Lee qualified for the exclusive-field Tour Championship on Sunday, by finishing tied for fifth at the BMW Championship. When asked about making the Presidents Cup team after the BMW event, Lee responded, "I hope to play at the Presidents Cup. It'll be an honor for me."
There could be some changes among the top eight who have already qualified, amid speculation that some may defect for the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf and rule themselves ineligible for the PGA Tour-run Presidents Cup. Smith and Matsuyama are among those being rumored to be on their way to the new circuit.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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