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Si Woo Kim is just 27 years old, but he has already become one of the greatest Asian golfers to ever play the game. He has won four PGA Tour titles, the second-most titles by an Asian golfer, just behind KJ Choi and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who have won eight each.
Si Woo earned a PGA Tour card at just 17 years of age and that too through Q-School, a rigorous process to earn a Tour card. In 2017, he added another achievement when he became the youngest ever to win The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. In the six years since, Si Woo has added four titles to his cabinet, including this year's Sony Open in Hawaii.
Despite all these glories, Kim is far too grounded. He felt he was lucky to have all the early success. 'Lucky' is not the correct word for someone as talented as the 27-year-old.
“I think I was not good enough for the top level, like [competing against] all the top 10 players. But somehow I got lucky, like that rookie year [victory at 2016 Wyndham Championship], and then the next year, won The Players,” Kim said.
The humility in Si Woo's nature is a result of his upbringing. Strictness in parenting is a common Asian trait. His dad, Du Ryu, never let the success go to his head and always gave him a reality check.
“Yeah, my dad kept talking to me, you’re not the top player, so don’t try to act like a top player,” said Kim after his Sony Open win.
Kim added that when he played with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, he started questioning himself.
"Sometimes I’m like, ‘What am I doing here … they’re so good’, driving like 360 and I’m like 60 yards behind. I’ve still got a lot of going [catching up].”
What's next for Si Woo Kim?
Kim will be looking at repeating his triumph in The Players Championship, which takes place from March 9 to March 12.
The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass will be a 144-player field event with most of the top golfers featuring in the PGA Tour's flagship event.
World No. 1 Jon Rahm is once again a favorite at the event. He will get a tough fight from Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler as they look to steal the World No. 1 position from him at the 'fifth major'.
This year's Players Championship comes with a purse size of $25 million, $5 million more than the previous year. The winner will receive a share of $4.6 million.
Defending Champion Cameron Smith will not get to defend his title as the LIV members have been suspended from the PGA Tour events. The Australian defected to the Saudi-backed league last year after winning the 2022 Open Championship.
Veteran Tiger Woods has opted out of the TPC Sawgrass event citing his injury management. The 15-time major winner has maintained that he will pick and choose tournaments moving forward as his body doesn't allow him to play a full schedule.
