Tom Kim has efficiently defended his Shriners Kids’s Open title Sunday. He’s now a three-time PGA Tour winner and is the youngest to perform that feat (21 years, 3 months and 4 days) for the reason that legendary Tiger Woods did so.
Woods was barely youthful at 21 years and 13 days previous.
However in contrast to Woods, Kim was capable of win the identical event twice going again to again at such a younger age.
He’s the primary man to do this since 1912 when John McDermott received the U.S. Open, based on golf author Justin Ray.
Youngest to efficiently defend a PGA Tour-recognized title, since 1900
John McDermott, 1912 U.S. Open – 20 years, 11 months, 21 days
Tom Kim, 2023 Shriners – 21 years, 3 months, 24 days
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) October 16, 2023
Even with two bogeys on the day, Kim fired off a 5-under 66 to win at 20-under. He defeated Canadian golfer Adam Hadwin by one stroke.
Kim made three birdies down the stretch and held a two-stroke lead going into the ultimate gap. Regardless of Hadwin’s birdie on 18, the rising star was capable of maintain on for the win.
The 21-year-old Kim began the event just a little sluggish, however he fired off a 62 Saturday to offer him the 54-hole lead getting into the ultimate spherical of play.
The South Korean was on hearth this weekend. He led the sector in strokes gained whole at 12.2 and in addition led the sector with 27 birdies in 4 rounds.
Kim was unable to defend his Wyndham Championship title earlier this 12 months due to an ankle damage. So, the Shriners Kids’s Open turned a focus.
Coming into this occasion, Kim ranked contained in the Prime 50, already incomes entrance into Signature Occasions subsequent 12 months. With this win, he secured his tour card even longer.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You may observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. Be sure you try @_PlayingThrough too.