Resilient Im Sung-jae keeps title hopes alive at Wells Fargo Championship

Im Sung-jae lived up to his nickname 'Ironman Im' once again when he brilliantly holed out from the bunker for par on the last hole on Saturday to give himself a fighting chance of becoming the first Asian winner at the Wells Fargo Championship

Im Sung-jae smiles with Collin Morikawa on the 17th hole tee during the third round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday. [GETTY IMAGES]

Im Sung-jae lived up to his nickname 'Ironman Im' once again when he brilliantly holed out from the bunker for par on the last hole on Saturday to give himself a fighting chance of becoming the first Asian winner at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club.

The 26-year-old Korean star showed his mettle to keep himself in the title hunt in what could have been a disappointing end to his third round as he signed to a gutsy 2-under 69 for solo third place at 8-under 205, four shots adrift of leader Xander Schauffele.

Schauffele, a seven-time PGA Tour winner, maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard for a third straight day but a 70 saw his overnight four-shot advantage trimmed to one by world No. 2 and three-time Wells Fargo winner Rory McIlroy, who carded a 67 to go bogey-free for the second straight day in the $20 million Signature event.

After mixing three birdies with two bogeys to make the turn at 34, Im birdied the 10th and 14th holes but stumbled with a bogey on the 16th after a three-putt. He got unlucky on the par 3 17th hole when his seemingly perfect looking tee shot hit the flagstick and rebounded off the green which he needed to hole a 10-footer to save par. As he approached the final hole, it seemed another bogey was imminent when his third shot found the bunker. Yet, from 38 feet, Im pulled off a monumental par-save by holing out from the sand which saw him raise his hands with delight to the cheers of the crowds.

“The course set-up was really difficult today, especially the greens were not very receptive and it was very difficult to calculate the distance on the second shot, but I think I managed to control it well and didn't take too many risks, especially on the back nine,” said Im, who is a two-time PGA Tour winner and bidding to become the tournament's first Asian winner since its inception in 2003.

“When the wind picked up and made it a bit more difficult. I struggled on 16, 17 and 18, but I made a really big save on 18, so I think I can keep this good momentum playing well tomorrow. I'm going to play the same way I've been playing the last three days, which hasn't been too bad overall, and I'm just focus on my game and each shot I will make, and play the best I can.

“On the 17th hole, I thought the ball was going to go well towards the pin, but the ball bounced (off the flagstick) to the right and it was a very difficult lie for my chip shot. However, I made a good save on that one, so I'm glad”.

Like his fellow compatriot An Byeong-hun settled for a 71 and 4-under for the tournament after dropping three shots over the last three holes, known as the Green Mile due to its notoriety. Seeking a first PGA Tour win, An started the day well by going 3-under through 13 holes, but made a double bogey on 16 to lie eight shots off the pace in tied sixth place.

Schauffele is aware he needs to reproduce his A-game on the final day to withstand the challenge from McIlroy, who he will be paired with in the final round, and the chasing pack. After opening with a 64 and 67, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist marked his scorecard with two birdies and one bogey. "I'm going to have to earn it tomorrow. I've got Rory breathing down my neck," said Schauffele, seeking to go one better after finishing runner-up to Wyndham Clark last year.

"I'll look at the leaderboard here shortly, but yeah, I think if I strike the ball the way I did today off the tee and just a little more focus coming into the greens, picking the spots and then going through my process a little better, should be in a good shape."

BY CHUAH CHOO CHIANG [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]