Sungjae Im aces par-3 seventh, eagles last to share lead at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Sungjae Im joined a crowded leaderboard at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with a splash. Two shots later, he took the lead all for himself.

The CJ Group ambassador aced the par-3 seventh to tie Jordan Spieth and Kensei Hirata at 11 under. Less than half an hour later, he eagled the par-5 ninth to finish with a second-round 61.

Hirata would eventually enter the clubhouse at 13 under, tying Im’s 36-hole mark.

“I was surprised, but I hit a really good shot,” Im said after the round of the shot on No. 7. “I didn’t expect it was going to go in, so I was very surprised.”

It was Im’s third hole-in-one on Tour. He previously recorded an ace at the 2019 Greenbrier Classic and the 2019 Players Championship.

Im and Spieth were playing together during the second round, and each went low. Spieth’s bogey-free 62 included seven second-nine birdies. He’s one off the pace.

The Byron Nelson’s projected cut is 4 under a little after 1:40 p.m. ET on Friday.

THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Rd 2

The second round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson is underway at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.