South Korean professional golfer Tom Kim successfully defended his title at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, making him the youngest player to win three PGA Tour titles since Tiger Woods.
Kim’s win: Kim, 21, secured the win by one stroke in a closely contested final round against Adam Hadwin, marking the first time a golfer has successfully defended the Shriners Children’s Open since Jim Furyk in 1999. Hadwin, who initially appeared to be on track for victory, encountered a setback on the 16th hole, resulting in a bogey.
Moving up the rankings: The 21-year-old claimed the $1.512 million winner’s prize at TPC Summerlin on Sunday. The win is Kim’s third in his young PGA Tour career. His success moves him up to a career-high world ranking of No. 11.
“No. 3 sounds a lot better than No. 2, I’m not going to lie to you,” Kim told Golf. “I feel like after last year, coming off such a great run and then kind of not feeling exactly myself mid-year — it’s been a grind trying to figure it out.”
About Kim: Kim’s rapid ascent in the golf world has been notable, with strong performances in major tournaments this season. He earned his maiden PGA Tour title at the Wyndham Championship in August 2022. This year, he tied for eighth at the US Open before finishing as a joint-runner-up in the Open Championship.
For the kids: Kim’s victory at the Shriners Children’s Open holds special significance for him, given that Shriners hospitals treat children with certain conditions at no charge.
“I think because it’s sponsored by Shriners Children’s that’s even more special,” Kim said, according to CNN. “Certainly because I’m 21, I’m not the oldest guy out here, and the kids here are even younger than me. I feel like I’m kind of close in age with them, and if there’s anything I can do just to inspire one kid out there, it would mean the world.”
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