Miles Bennett
South Korean golfer Tom Kim, also known as Kim Joo-Hyung, is one of the most exciting young talents in golf. Kim has won three times on the PGA Tour, and twice on both the Asian Tour and the Korean Tour. While Kim isn't the longest hitter, averaging 297.6 yards with the driver in the 2022-23 season, he is one of the most accurate off the tee, finishing 12th in driving accuracy on tour that season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Joo-hyung |
| Nickname | Tom |
| Date of Birth | 21 June 2002 |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Age | 22 years |
| Turned Pro | May 2018 |
| Notable Achievements | Won 3 times on the PGA Tour, 2 times on the Asian Tour, and 2 times on the Korean Tour |
| Average Driving Distance (2022-23) | 297.6 yards |
| Driving Accuracy (2022-23) | 70% |
| Caddie | Daniel Parratt |
| Total Earnings | Over $10 million |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tom Kim's golfing background and career
Tom Kim, born Kim Joo-hyung, is a South Korean professional golfer. Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 21, 2002, and is the son of a professional golfer, Kim Chang-ik. Due to his father's career, Kim spent several years living in Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Kim followed in his father's footsteps and began his golfing journey at a young age. In 2018, he won the Philippine Amateur Open Championship and the W Express RVF Cup Amateur Championship. The same year, in May, Kim turned professional, playing on the Philippine Golf Tour. In 2019, he focused on the Asian Development Tour, with notable performances in Malaysia and Thailand. He won his first event, the PGM ADT Championship in Malaysia, finishing six strokes ahead of the field.
Kim's career rapidly gained momentum, and in 2019, he won the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Indonesia and the Raya Pakistan Open. His third win promoted him to the Asian Tour. He then became the second youngest professional to win on the Asian Tour by claiming victory at the Panasonic Open India. In 2020, he continued his success, finishing fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open, which granted him entry into his first major championship, the 2020 Open Championship.
Kim's talent and hard work culminated in multiple victories in 2022. He won the Singapore International and achieved runner-up finishes at the SMBC Singapore Open, becoming the leading money winner of the 2020-2021-2022 Asian Tour season. That year, he also finished third at the Genesis Scottish Open, a co-sanctioned event between the PGA Tour and the European Tour. Kim's impressive performances earned him Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour for the 2021-2022 season. He secured his PGA Tour card for the 2022-2023 season with a strong finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
In 2022, Kim's success continued with his first PGA Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship, which led to his entry into the 2022 FedEx Cup Playoffs. That year, he also joined the International Team for the first time at the Presidents Cup, showcasing his talent on an international stage. Kim's winning streak continued in 2023, with consecutive wins at the Shriners Children's Open, making him one of the youngest three-time winners on the PGA Tour.
Golf Blitz: What's the Rush?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tom Kim's golfing technique and accuracy
Tom Kim, born Kim Joo-hyung, is a South Korean professional golfer. He is considered one of the most exciting young talents in the golfing world, with seven international victories under his belt.
Kim's golfing technique is characterised by his accuracy off the tee, rather than his power. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 297.6 yards with the driver, which is slightly below the PGA Tour's average. However, his driving accuracy was almost 70%, making him 12th in driving accuracy on tour that season and 21st in total driving.
Kim's accuracy can be attributed to his disciplined approach and ability to make strategic choices. He focuses on placing his shots in the optimal position, even if it means sacrificing distance. This strategy has proven effective, particularly on courses that require precision and where driving accuracy is at a premium.
In addition to his accuracy, Kim's success can also be attributed to his well-rounded game. He has demonstrated proficiency in various aspects of golf, including putting, chipping, and bunker play. He is also known for his strong mental game and ability to remain composed under pressure.
Kim's golfing prowess has earned him significant recognition in the sport. He has won on the PGA Tour three times, including the 2022 Wyndham Championship, where he became the first PGA Tour winner born after 2000. He has also won twice on both the Asian Tour and the Korean Tour. In 2023, he successfully defended his title at the Shriners Children's Open, becoming one of only two golfers to have won the same PGA Tour event twice in the same season.
Golf: A Stress Reliever or Inducer?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tom Kim's golfing achievements
Tom Kim, born Kim Joo-hyung, is a South Korean professional golfer. He is the son of a professional golfer, Kim Chang-ik, and was born in Seoul, South Korea. Kim turned professional in May 2018, playing on the Philippine Golf Tour.
Kim has had many notable achievements in his golfing career. He has won three times on the PGA Tour, including the Wyndham Championship in 2022, and the Shriners Children's Open twice in 2022 and 2023. With his second win at the Shriners Children's Open, Kim became the youngest three-time winner on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods in 1997. He has also won twice on both the Asian Tour and the Korean Tour. Some of his other notable achievements include winning the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Indonesia in 2019, the Raya Pakistan Open in 2019, and the Panasonic Open India in 2019, where he became the second youngest professional to win on the Asian Tour.
In 2022, Kim starred at the Presidents Cup, joining the International Team for the first time in his career. He won two and lost three of the five matches he played and was hailed as one of the stars of the event due to his entertaining play. That same year, he also won the Singapore International, beating Rattanon Wannasrichan in a playoff. He finished as the leading money winner of the 2020-21-22 Asian Tour season.
Kim has had other notable finishes, including a solo-third finish at the Genesis Scottish Open in 2022, a co-sanctioned event between the PGA Tour and the European Tour. He earned his PGA Tour card for the 2022-23 season with a 7th place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. With a T47 finish at the 2022 Open Championship, Kim became eligible for Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
Golfing in Winter: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tom Kim's earnings from golf
Tom Kim, a rising star in the world of golf, has amassed seven international victories and won three times on the PGA Tour. Kim's career earnings have been impressive, with a total of $16.67 million as of February 2025, according to Spotrac. This includes $2.5 million from major championships, $12.9 million from official events, $569,500 from unofficial events, and $620,000 from Tour Championships. In the 2024-25 season, as of February 6, Kim had earned $658,444, with most of the prize money, $640,000, coming from his tied-seventh finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Kim's success on the golf course has translated into significant earnings. In the 2023-24 season, he earned $4.57 million, including $3.73 million from official events. His career-high season earnings totalled $8.5 million in the 2022–23 season, including $1.9 million from major championships, $5.86 million from official events, $119,500 from unofficial events, and $620,000 from the Tour Championship. His highest single-event prize money was at the 2024 Travelers Championship, where he earned $2.16 million for a runner-up finish.
Kim's success on the golf course has also earned him lucrative endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, Titleist, Audemars Piguet, LifePlus, GolfForever, Fanduel, and CJ Corp. His active presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where he has over 123,000 followers, has contributed to his growing brand and earning potential. While the financial details of these endorsement deals are not publicly disclosed, they are estimated to be worth around $700,000 each as of 2023. With his success and endorsements, Kim's net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023.
In addition to his financial success, Kim has also achieved notable victories and milestones in his golfing career. He has won a total of 12 international tournaments and three PGA Tour events, including the Shriners Children's Open in 2022 and 2023, becoming the youngest three-time winner on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods in 1997. He also starred at the Presidents Cup in 2022, joining the International Team for the first time and winning two of his five matches. With his impressive performance, Kim earned Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour for the 2021-22 season and secured his PGA Tour card for the 2022-23 season.
Willie Nelson's Golfing Passion: A Hole-in-One?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tom Kim's golfing plans for the future
Tom Kim, born Kim Joo-Hyung, is a rising star in the world of golf. The 22-year-old South Korean has already won three times on the PGA Tour, twice on the Asian Tour, and twice on the Korean Tour.
Kim's golfing plans for the future are likely to be focused on continuing his impressive run of form and establishing himself as a leading player on the PGA Tour. He will also be aiming to translate his success on the Asian and Korean Tours to the PGA Tour, where he has already made a strong impact.
One of Kim's main goals for the future will be to win a major tournament. He came close in 2023, finishing second at the Open Championship. In the shorter term, Kim will be aiming to qualify for and perform well in the upcoming PGA Tour events, building on his strong showing in the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 297.6 yards with the driver and achieved a driving accuracy of almost 70%.
Kim's caddie, Daniel Parratt, will play a crucial role in his future plans. Parratt is an experienced looper who has worked with several notable golfers. Kim's fluency in English, in addition to his native Korean and Tagalog, may also benefit his communication with tour staff and players worldwide.
With his talent, dedication, and supportive team, Tom Kim is well-positioned to continue his successful golfing career and achieve his future goals.
Golf Match Days: When to Watch and Play
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Although Tom Kim is not the longest hitter, averaging 297.6 yards with the driver in the 2022-23 season, he is one of the most accurate off the tee, finishing 12th in driving accuracy that season.
Tom Kim averaged 297.6 yards with the driver in the 2022-23 season, making him 121st in driving distance on the PGA Tour.
Tom Kim's driving accuracy is almost 70%, making him 21st in total driving on tour.
Tom Kim has won three times on the PGA Tour, twice on the Asian Tour, and twice on the Korean Tour. He also won the 2022 Singapore International and was the leading money winner of the 2020-21-22 Asian Tour season.
Tom Kim's nickname is derived from Thomas the Tank Engine in the TV series "Thomas & Friends."
