Tom Kim has secured a victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, marking his first PGA Tour win since the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open. This triumph ends a 1,001-day period without a win for Kim, who closed the tournament with a six-under 64, finishing at 17 under par.
Kim, who is 24 years old and in his ninth season as a professional, played a bogey-free final round to claim the title. His performance at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian saw him finish two shots ahead of Min Woo Lee, a former Scottish Open champion.
A Return to Form and Familiar Ground
Kim’s victory follows a recent surge in his performance, including a third-place finish at the U.S. Open. This resurgence comes after a period where his world ranking had fallen outside the top 150. The Renaissance Club has historically been a favorable venue for Kim, with his last four appearances there resulting in top-20 finishes. In 2022, a third-place finish at the Scottish Open helped him secure his PGA Tour status.
Kim expressed his feelings about the win, stating, “It’s really special. I’m at a loss for words.” He also noted the significance of winning at the venue where he previously had no status but managed a strong finish to earn his place on the Tour.
His recent form has been attributed in part to a return to a familiar Scotty Cameron putter, which coincided with a tie for 15th at the RBC Canadian Open before his strong showing at the U.S. Open.
Marathon Sunday and Key Moments
The final day of the Scottish Open presented a challenge for Kim and other competitors due to a delayed third round. Play on Saturday was suspended at 8 p.m. local time because of a dense sea fog, known as haar, which rolled in from the North Berwick coast. Players resumed their third round at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday, with Kim completing his round with a 2-under-par 68 before starting his final round.
Kim’s blemish-free final round matched the day’s best score. A crucial moment came on the par-4 16th hole, where he executed a 206-yard iron shot to within 6 feet of the pin, leading to an unlikely birdie. He then parred the par-3 17th and secured another par on the 18th hole with a disciplined up-and-down, establishing a commanding clubhouse lead.
Matt Fitzpatrick, another top golfer, finished in a four-way tie for third at 13 under. PGA Tour rookie Johnny Keefer, along with Michael Thorbjornsen and Victor Perez, also qualified for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Birkdale based on their finishes.
Joining an Elite Group and Future Plans
With this victory, Kim becomes the fifth player from outside the United States to achieve four wins on the PGA Tour before turning 25. He joins a distinguished group that includes Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Hideki Matsuyama. His first two PGA Tour wins, 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.
Following his win, Kim received a text message from Tiger Woods, with whom he is a member of the TGL squad. Kim noted Woods’s helpfulness and care, highlighting that Woods was the first person to text him after his first win in three years.
Kim’s next competition will be a trip south to Royal Birkdale for the 154th Open Championship.
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Source: nytimes.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.