AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tom Kim has a warning for the field.
Kim, who trains in Dallas with Scottie Scheffler, “once or twice weekly,” shared his expectations for the 54-hole leader.
“I know he’s in a really good mental state,” Kim, 21, said on Saturday. “It’s definitely not World No. 1 structure all the time. But when it’s not, it’s World No. 2 structure all the time.”
Were Scheffler to conquer Augusta again — his second in three years — it would mark the 16th win for a native Texan.
The total ranks higher than any other state. It exceeds any foreign country.
And Ben Crenshaw has a theory for why Texans have tamed Augusta National.
“A lot has to do with conditions,” the 1984 and 1995 winner said. “Especially the wind. The spring weather in Texas can be very similar to what we see in Augusta.”
Ah, the wind.
The gusts.
The unpredictability.
As towering pines wilted on Thursday and Friday, Scheffler flicked aside the elements to card 66-72.
“The wind is all over the place. I’ve never seen it like this,” Ireland’s Shane Lowry said Friday. “That was probably the toughest two days of golf that I’ve played.”
Scheffler, however, didn’t flinch.
When asked about the winds in Dallas, Kim echoed Gentle Ben’s thoughts.
“Strength-wise, it’s very, very similar,” Kim said.
With 18 holes to play, Kim — who’s 11-over par — says he’s rooting for the World No. 1. He’s also telling those in contention: Don’t expect Scottie to have an off day.
“It’s not like he goes home and doesn’t play that well,” Kim said. “He’s playing well every single day.”
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