At Glance
‣ Kris Kim, a talented English amateur golfer, made an impressive PGA Tour debut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas, shooting a three-under 68 in the first round and finishing just five shots off the leader.
‣ At just 16 years old, Kim’s performance, including two chip-ins and an eagle, puts him in contention to become the fifth-youngest player to make the cut in a PGA Tour event, showcasing the emergence of young talents in professional golf.
‣ Kim’s background is notable as his mother, former LPGA player Ji-Hyun Suh, serves as his swing coach, offering simple yet profound advice that emphasizes the mental aspect of golf, highlighting the importance of mindset and support in achieving success in sports.
An chip-in eagle at the last for 16-year-old Kris Kim!
A 3-under round in his PGA TOUR debut 👏
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
Kris Kim, a remarkably talented English amateur golfer, made a splash in his PGA Tour debut. He shot a three-under 68 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas. At just 16, he’s already turning heads.
During his first round, Kim chipped in twice. That includes an eagle on the last hole. He wrapped up the day just five shots behind the leader, Matt Wallace, at TPC Craig Ranch.
Kim racked up five birdies and that eagle, landing him in 53rd place. He’s in a good position to make the cut. If he does, he’ll be the fifth-youngest player to achieve that in a PGA Tour event. The youngest since Guan Tian Liang back in 2013.
Post-round, Kim shared, “I thought it was pretty fun today.” Despite a couple of bogeys, he felt his performance was solid. “Overall, I played really well,” he said.
The nerves hit him at first, but they faded as the game progressed. “It was just playing golf,” he reflected. The day’s conditions were favorable, especially the greens, softened by a bit of rain.
Kim’s mother, Ji-Hyun Suh, a former LPGA player and his swing coach, offered some sage advice before his round. She reminded him, “At the end of the day, it’s just hitting a golf ball around.”
Kim’s showing is part of a trend of young talents making waves. Just two weeks ago, 15-year-old Miles Russell made the cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event. And now, Kim’s 3-under round in his PGA TOUR debut has caught everyone’s attention.
Finishing T20, Russell set a record as the youngest with a top 25 finish in PGA Tour or Korn Ferry events. Kim’s performance is another example of young players stepping up to the big stage.
Kim feels his short game is his strength, though he admits to a bit of luck. “I like it,” he said, appreciating the crowd’s applause. “Just makes it everything better.”
Last year, Kim shone at the Junior Ryder Cup in Marco Simone. He was undefeated, contributing 3.5 points to Europe’s 20.5-9.5 victory over Team USA. It was their first win since 2006.
Kim’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s secured NIL sponsorship deals with Under Armour Golf, TaylorMade Golf, and the CJ Group. The latter even granted him a sponsor’s exemption for this week’s event.
In the whirlwind of golf, young talents like Kim remind us of the game’s evolving landscape. And with each swing, chip, and putt, they’re reshaping what’s possible on the green.
