Kim’s Return to Form
Tom Kim has secured a significant victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, marking his first PGA Tour win since October 2023. The 24-year-old professional ended a 1,001-day winless streak, delivering a bogey-free round of 64 on Sunday. This win follows a period where Kim, who turned professional at 15, had seen his world ranking fall outside the top 150 last month. However, a recent strong performance, including a third-place finish at the U.S. Open, indicated a shift in momentum for the South Korean golfer.
The Renaissance Club in East Lothian has proven to be a favorable course for Kim, where his last four appearances have all resulted in top 20 finishes. His solo third-place finish at the Scottish Open in 2022 was instrumental in helping him secure his PGA Tour status. Kim expressed his emotions after the win, stating, “It’s really special. I’m at a loss for words.”
This victory places Kim among an elite group of golfers. He is now the fifth non-American player to achieve four PGA Tour wins before the age of 25, joining the ranks of Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Hideki Matsuyama. Kim’s first two PGA Tour victories, the 2022 Wyndham Championship and the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open, occurred before he was old enough to legally drink in his home base of Dallas.
Marathon Sunday and Key Moments
The final day of the Scottish Open presented a challenge for Kim and his competitors due to a dense sea fog, known as haar, which delayed the third round. Play was suspended on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. local time, with Kim having completed only seven holes of his round. Players resumed at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday, with Kim finishing his third round at 2-under-par 68 before his impressive afternoon performance.
Kim’s blemish-free 64 tied for the day’s best score, allowing him to hold off strong contenders such as former Scottish Open champion Min Woo Lee and Matt Fitzpatrick. Kim finished the tournament at 17 under par, with Lee at 15 under and Fitzpatrick in a four-way tie for third at 13 under. Among those also tied for third was PGA Tour rookie Johnny Keefer, who earned a spot in the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Michael Thorbjornsen and Victor Perez, who finished at 12 and 11 under par respectively, also qualified for the Open.
A crucial moment in Kim’s final round came on the difficult par-4 16th hole. He executed a 206-yard iron shot that landed within 6 feet of the pin, leading to an unlikely birdie. Kim described the shot, noting, “The wind died down, and it was just a perfect number. It was just a lot of commitment there. That shot shape for that wind was so perfect.” He then secured pars on the par-3 17th and the 18th hole, establishing a commanding clubhouse lead. Min Woo Lee would have needed to hole out from the 18th fairway to force a playoff.
Reflections and Future Endeavors
Kim’s journey back to the winner’s circle followed a period of challenges, including putting issues and an illness that caused him to withdraw from the Players Championship in 2024. His performance on the greens had previously ranked him among the Tour’s better players but had slipped to 102nd in Strokes Gained: Putting. A return to a familiar Scotty Cameron putter coincided with an improved performance, including a tie for 15th at the RBC Canadian Open before his strong showing at the U.S. Open.
His role as a member of Tiger Woods’ TGL squad provided him with opportunities to learn from the golf legend. Following his victory, Kim received a text message from Tiger Woods, highlighting their connection. Kim shared, “This was my first win in three years and the first person that text me was Tiger Woods. It just shows you the type of person he is, how much he cares.”
The precision that once defined Kim’s game, which he had reportedly sacrificed during his winless stretch in an attempt to keep pace with the modern power game, was evident again at the Renaissance Club. His tidy tee-to-green play was a key factor in his success. While playing partners Chris Gotterup and Robert MacIntyre faltered, and Rory McIlroy, despite matching Kim’s low round of 64, couldn’t close the gap, Kim maintained his lead.
Kim’s victory also contrasted with the performance of his friend, Scottie Scheffler, with whom he shares a June 21 birthday and often practices in Dallas. While Kim celebrated his win, Scheffler missed the cut, his first in 78 attempts. Kim’s next event will be the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
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Source: nytimes.com
