LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - The last of the weekday rounds of the 2021 Shriners Children's Open hosted by TPC at Summerlin are wrapping up. As it stands now, Sungjae Im and Chad Ramey co-lead heading into the weekend with a score of 14-under and a single shot lead over Sam Burns and Adam Schenk.
The cut is projected to be at 5-under.
HARD WORK PAYING OFF FOR IM
Im, who is coming off a great FedEx Cup Playoffs run last season, carded a 63 on Thursday and a 65 on Friday to take the solo lead. In both rounds, he managed to not card a single bogey or worse and put on a putting masterclass, sinking several mid-range putts for key birdies throughout his rounds
For many, Im's incredible form will come as no surprise. There is no other player on tour who is more committed to playing events like Im. Last season, Im broke the record for most birdies in a season, carding a total of 497. This was largely due to the fact that he played the most tournaments that year.
To put into perspective how many tournaments Im has played thus far, this week marks the 100th start on the PGA Tour, having only been on tour for three years.
RAMEY CO-LEADS, LOOKING FOR SUCCESS THIS SEASON
Ramey's week started off hot. After a quiet 34 on his front nine during his Thursday round, Ramey found a hot streak and went on to card seven birdies on the back nine for a 29.
The script did not change for his Friday round, where birdied three of his four final holes, including the 18th, to put him in the lead with Im.
This is a great performance thus far from Ramey, who after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour last year, did not have the best start to his PGA Tour season so far, missing the cut at the Fortinet Championship, then following it up with a T63 at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
WINDS PICK UP IN THE DESERT
Windier and wetter than expected conditions were present for the first two rounds of the Shriners Children's Open, which seemed to have surprised some players. When asked about the winds, which gusted up to 30mph, many players reported having to adjust their ball flights to not get caught up in it.
Despite the weather, low scores were had, with Sung Kung shooting a 61 on Thursday and Aaron Wise shooting a 62 on Friday, the low rounds for their respective days.
The winds are expected to continue into the weekend, but what is uncertain is the direction they will come from, largely due to the proximity of TPC at Summerlin to the nearby mountain ranges and the valley it sits in.
All we know is that it will make for some entertaining golf for us fans to watch.
HOW ARE OUR PICKS DOING?
1) Will Zalatoris: CUT
2) Louis Oosthuizen: T13 at 10-under
3) Nick Watney: T43 at 6-underZalatoris didn't play horrible golf, carding a 69/72, but others played better. Louis is again in a good position heading into the weekend, to no one's surprise really. Watney started off strong with a 67 on Thursday but followed it up with a 69 on Friday.
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With the uncertain winds, it will be interesting to see how players will continue to respond to them. Stay tuned for our article to see who has won it all.
-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews
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