Im’s Wrist Injury Return Shows Tour’s Cruel Timing—But His Weekend Looks Promising

There’s something about watching a talented player claw his way back that reminds you why we love this game. Sungjae Im, sitting at 9-under through two rounds of the Valspar Championship, isn’t just playing well—he’s playing the kind of golf that suggests his wrist injury might finally be in the rearview mirror. And that matters more than the leaderboard might indicate.

In my 35 years covering this tour, I’ve seen dozens of guys return from physical setbacks. Some bounce back stronger. Others never quite recapture their rhythm. The early returns on Im? Encouraging, but with an asterisk worth examining.

The Comeback Math Doesn’t Always Add Up

Let’s be honest: two missed cuts in a row before this week would’ve sent a lot of players into a spiral of doubt. Im came back to Innisbrook and shot 64-69. That’s not luck. That’s a player who’s figured something out. The 27-year-old South Korean has two PGA Tour victories already—the 2020 Honda Classic and 2021 Shriners Children’s Open—so he knows what it takes to win on this level. The question was never his talent. It was whether his wrist could handle the demands of 72 holes.

What strikes me about Im’s approach is how methodical he’s being about it. He’s not forcing anything. After a rough front nine on Friday (37 strokes, with three bogeys), he could’ve tightened up and played scared. Instead, he attacked the par-5 11th and par-4 12th, then made the crucial birdie on 17 to take the lead.

“The important thing, well, the most important thing is that I can get my drives into the fairways. If I do that, then I will be able to give myself good chances. There’s just a lot of danger out there on the course.”

That’s not the sound of a guy who’s lost confidence. That’s precision thinking from someone who understands the geometry of Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course.

David Lipsky’s Momentum Machine

If Im represents the comeback narrative, David Lipsky represents something equally compelling: a guy who’s knocking on the door. Still winless on the PGA Tour, Lipsky shot a clean 65 to sit just one stroke back. What impresses me about his round wasn’t the four birdies in his first six holes—that’s flash. It was what he did after the turn.

“Missed it in the right spots, holed the putts early on to get some momentum going. That finishing stretch is obviously tough, so able to save a couple pars down on 16 and 18 and really kept the round going.”

Having caddied professionally in the ’90s, I learned that the difference between a tour winner and a tour journeyman often comes down to one thing: what you do when you’re not in the zone. Lipsky parred the final seven holes. That’s discipline. That’s a player who understands the mental arithmetic of championship golf.

Now, I’m not ready to anoint him yet—winless players can become winners, but usually not without some luck bouncing their way. Still, if I were in the pairing room, I’d have Lipsky in my sights as a guy capable of surprising people.

The Leaderboard’s Supporting Cast Tells a Story

Behind the leaders, we’ve got Chandler Blanchet and Doug Ghim at 7-under, both right there in striking distance. Ghim’s comment after his round is worth noting:

“Obviously, I wish I would have finished a little bit better. Two bad holes doesn’t really necessarily kind of ruin a good day.”

Here’s what that tells me: Ghim is thinking like a winner. He’s not dwelling on the bogeys on 15 and 16. He’s recognizing that he played solid golf overall and that 67 is a respectable score in firm, fast conditions. That maturity can carry guys through weekend pressure better than raw talent sometimes does.

Meanwhile, defending champion Viktor Hovland missing the cut is the kind of plot twist that keeps this tour interesting. It happens. Even to the best of us.

Weekend Weather Could Reshape Everything

Im mentioned something crucial in his post-round remarks—wind is coming, and the greens will get firmer. In tournament golf, that’s code for: “The course is about to eat up anybody who isn’t sharp.” I’ve covered 15 Masters tournaments, and I’ve learned that course setup is often more important than raw player talent. A firm, windy Copperhead Course at Innisbrook could differentiate between a guy who can navigate tension and one who can’t.

That potentially favors Im, who seems locked in despite the rust from his injury layoff. Lipsky’s going to need to maintain his iron play and continue making putts. One or two shots of sloppiness on Saturday or Sunday could turn a one-stroke lead into a four-shot deficit real quick.

What This Weekend Represents

Beyond the leaderboard, the Valspar this year is really about two things: Can Im stay healthy and competitive after coming back from injury? And can Lipsky finally break through? Both narratives are compelling. Both deserve our attention.

I’ll be watching closely. My money, for what it’s worth, is on Im holding up under the pressure and the weather. But Lipsky is playing too well to count out. That’s what makes golf beautiful—you can have all the experience and knowledge in the world, and the best player that weekend still wins.

We’ll find out Saturday and Sunday.