Im and Kim finish out of contention in men's golf tournament

Korea's Im Sung-jae finished tied for 22nd and Kim Si-woo tied for 32nd in the men's individual golf tournament Sunday, trailing behind gold medal winner Xander Schauffele of the United States.

Im Sung-jae plays the fourth round of the men's golf tournament at Kasumigaseki Country Club's East course in Kawagoe City, Japan on Sunday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Korea's Im Sung-jae finished tied for 22nd and Kim Si-woo tied for 32nd in the men's individual golf tournament on Sunday, trailing behind gold medal winner Xander Schauffele of the United States.

Im shot three-under, 68, in the fourth round at Kasumigaseki Country Club's East course in Kawagoe City, Japan, falling back a few places from the 17th place he had shared after the third round on Saturday.

Im got off to a slow start at the tournament, shooting 70 in the first round on Thursday and 73 on Friday.

He bounced back on Saturday in remarkable form, tying the course record with with 8-under, 63. Im made 10 birdies and two bogeys in the third round, putting him five shots behind Paul Casey of Great Britain and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico who shared third place at the time.

That third round performance meant that it was theoretically still possible, although unlikely, for Im to climb back up the table on Sunday. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, and Im ended up slipping back to 22nd.

Kim had his best round on Sunday, at four-under, 67, but it wasn't enough to improve his chances are a difficult few days. Kim shot 68 in the first round, but then slopped to 71 in the second round and 70 in the third.

With the men's tournament now compete, the women's individual tournament will begin on Wednesday. Reigning champion Park In-bee will look to defend her gold medal, alongside teammates Ko Jin-young, Kim Sei-young and Kim Hyo-joo.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]