“Conversations with Champions presented by Sentry” is a weekly series from Golfweek. This week: Tom Kim, winner of the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open.
He’s just the second golfer to win twice on the PGA Tour before turning 21.
Tiger Woods was 20 years, nine months and 21 days when he earned his second win. Tom Kim has done him one better, winning a second time at the age of 20 years, three months and 18 days after claiming the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas.
Kim also became just the third winner on Tour — Lee Trevino in 1974, J.T. Poston in 2019 — to play 72 holes of stroke play and not record a bogey.
“I played really solid this week,” Kim said, making perhaps the understatement of the Tour season so far. “I think I got to give big credits to Joe [Skovron], my caddie. He really kept me in it. We had a really good game plan coming into the week, and it paid off.”
Sometimes you need a little luck to win as well and, this was Vegas after all and Patrick Cantlay, who played great all week, stumbled home with a triple-bogey 7 on the 18th hole.
“I got very lucky on the 18th. I’m not going to lie, Patrick played awesome, and it was an honor to battle with him, and to come out on top, I feel very fortunate.”
Here’s the rest of what Kim said after his win.
Q: Are you surprised how quickly you’ve found success out here on the PGA Tour?
Yes and no. I’ve worked really hard, and my team has worked really hard to this point, and I’m just really grateful and I’m fortunate to have an opportunity like this. I’m having fun playing on the PGA Tour. It’s awesome.
.@JoohyungKim0621 reflects on his second win on TOUR @ShrinersOpen 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/IgNJyGVJuq
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2022
Q: You’re the first player since Tiger Woods in 1996 to win twice on the PGA Tour before turning 21. What comes to your mind when you hear those words?
It’s really amazing. A few months ago, I didn’t have any status in the U.S., and now being a two-time winner on Tour, having that place with Tiger, it’s an unbelievable feeling for me. It’s an honor for me, and it’s definitely a dream come true.
Q: What’s the last few months been like for you? Could you just describe the last few months?
It’s been crazy. It’s been really fast. Definitely doesn’t feel slow, that’s for sure. Coming off a win, Playoffs, the Presidents Cup, and a win this week is, I mean, it’s absolutely amazing. I’ve just got…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golfweek…