Im Sung-jae on Oct. 10 proudly displays his trophy after winning the Shriners Children's Open at TPC at Summerlin in Las Vegas. (Yonhap News) 

By Jung Joo-ri and Kim Hayeon 

Photos = Yonhap News

Im Sung-jae and Ko Jin-young have made history by each winning events on the same day on the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) and Ladies' Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tours of the U.S.  

They are the first Koreans to each win a golf competition in America on the same day.

Im on Oct. 10 won the Shriners Children's Open at TPC in Summerlin in Las Vegas, beating runner-up Matthew Wolff of the U.S. by four strokes. Im finished with nine birdies a score of 24-under 260, winning USD 1.26 million in prize money.

The Korean's win came a year and seven months after Im's first PGA victory at the Honda Classic in March last year. He earned Korea's 20th title on the PGA Tour since K.J. Choi got the first in May 2002.    

For the women, world No. 2 Ko on the same day shot a five-under 66 in the final round to finish at 18-under 266 to win the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. She had six birdies and one bogey, beating runner-up Caroline Masson of Germany by four strokes. 

Earning USD 450,000 in prize money, Ko recorded the 199th victory by a Korean on the LPGA Tour after Ku Ok-hee claimed the first in 1988.

Ko is also just the fifth Korean with 10 LPGA victories. 

After winning, Im said, "I had to play 50 tournaments to get my first (PGA) win and 100 tournaments to win my second. I think Heaven made this decision," adding, "I understand how rare it is for both a Korean male and female player to win on the same day. I heartily congratulate Ko Jin-young."  

Ko said in a post-tournament interview, "I was under heavy pressure on the course, but I'm so happy right now."

Ko Jin-young on Oct. 10 celebrates after winning the LPGA Tour event Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey. (Yonhap News) 

etoilejr@korea.kr