Tom Kim closed with a 67 on Sunday to reach 24-under, capping a bogey-free week with a win at the Shriner’s Children’s Open in Las Vegas.
“I felt like the course really suited me well. It came to my eye, and I felt like if I just strategized my way around it here, around the course here, I could have a good week, and that’s exactly what I did.”
20-year-old Kim is the first player since Tiger Woods in 1996 to have two wins on the PGA Tour before turning 21.
“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.”
His first PGA Tour title came at the Wyndham Championship in August and made the FedEx Cup Playoffs but he also won the Singapore International and finished second in the Singapore Open in January on the Asian Tour and was selected for the Presidents Cup last month.
“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 to keep going, and I’m enjoying the ride, so hopefully many more to come.”
The South Korean is also the first player since J.T. Poston at the 2019 Wyndham championship to win without making bogey.
Patrick Cantlay, who started the day tied for the lead with Kim, was still tied when he reached the 18th but found a bush in a ravine, had to take a penalty drop and found a pond and closed with a triple bogey for a 69 and a share of second place at 21-under alongside fellow American Matthew NeSmith who shot a bogey-free 66.
A triple bogey on the 72nd hole for Patrick Cantlay to lose by 3.
Winning is hard. pic.twitter.com/e6BDdVWh6N
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2022
“I made bad swing, and it went where it went,” said Cantlay. “After it was kind of in the bush there, I figured the only chance I had to stay in the tournament was to try to get it back in the fairway. Obviously I couldn’t get it back in the fairway.
“I had a chance coming down the back nine. I hit a lot of good shots, made a lot of good swings, so yeah, like I said, all in all, it was a good week and I played a lot of solid shots this week. Obviously the last hole makes the whole week kind of sour.”
American Tom Hoge carded a 64 to finish tied for fourth at 20-under alongside Chile’s Mito Pereira (67) and South Korea’s S.H. Kim (66).
