Tom Kim is a PGA Tour winner once again, and it has been a long time coming. The young South Korean star ended a three-year victory drought by capturing the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on Sunday. His last win came in October 2023, and the 24-year-old has since navigated a challenging period that tested both his game and his mental resilience. Now a four-time PGA Tour winner, Kim is back where he belongs – near the very summit of the sport.

Kim's victory was commanding. He posted a bogey-free 64 on Sunday to pull away from the field and secure a win that bettors and fans had long anticipated. The victory not only ended his drought but also signaled that one of golf's brightest young talents is ready to contend with the best on a consistent basis.

But beyond the scorecard, Kim's post-round comments offered a rare glimpse into the support system that helped him through his toughest moments. In his press conference, Kim opened up about his relationship with two of the biggest names in golf: Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler.

Kim's Relationship with Tiger Woods

Kim has been a teammate of Tiger Woods in the TGL, the tech-infused golf league co-founded by Woods. That connection has given Kim direct access to the 15-time major champion, and he has not been shy about leaning on Woods for advice.

“Obviously on TGL being on Tiger’s team, I’ve been able to ask him questions on certain things. He’s been really helpful a lot of the time,” Kim said. “You know, this was my first win in three years, and the first person that texted me was Tiger Woods. Shows you the person he is and how much he cares.”

Kim's reverence for Woods is evident. He described Woods as someone who, despite his immense achievements, remains approachable and genuinely invested in the careers of younger players. That text, Kim noted, meant more than any piece of technical advice could have.

“Those people that have achieved so much, not a specific person, but just listening to their interviews, seeing how they talk, and when I ask them advice, they have been really nice,” Kim added. “I’ve kind of leaned into the best players in the world, even on YouTube, I’m listening to them speaking in their interviews, just really trying to pay attention to those things and really have blended in my mind, I guess.”

The friendship between Kim and Woods has been known in golf circles. Kim has often spoken of Woods as a mentor, and their shared participation in TGL – where Woods captains the Jupiter Links Golf Club – has strengthened that bond. For a young player who grew up idolizing Woods, the relationship is a dream come true, and Kim has not taken it for granted.

The Role of Scottie Scheffler

While Woods provided emotional encouragement, Scottie Scheffler has been a different kind of role model. Kim specifically mentioned Scheffler's maturity and self-awareness as qualities he admires and tries to emulate.

“Not exactly someone else. I think Scottie has been such a great role model for a lot of people,” Kim said. “If you listen to his press conferences, it comes from a lot of self-awareness and a lot of maturity.”

Scheffler, the world No. 1, has often been praised for his calm demeanor and consistent excellence. Kim has studied how Scheffler handles pressure and setbacks, and he has tried to apply those lessons to his own game. The relationship between the two is friendly, but Kim's admiration runs deeper. He sees Scheffler as a blueprint for how to navigate the highs and lows of professional golf without losing perspective.

Kim's win at the Scottish Open came after a stretch where he missed several cuts and struggled to find his form. He admitted that there were many low points, but he now believes he knows how to handle such adversity in the future.

“A lot of moments like that. I can’t really say this exact moment. But there was a lot of moments out on the golf course that felt that way,” Kim said. “And you know, it just — I guess it’s just part of golf. I’ve never really gone through that in my career. I can’t say that I won’t go through it again. Golf is just so unique and so different. But you know, I’m not — at least I now know I have the experience of how to deal with those moments. So I’m going to try to hold those moments to my core for as long as I can and all I can do is just keep growing, I guess.”

The ability to learn from difficult times is a hallmark of champions, and Kim has clearly taken that to heart. His win in Scotland was not just a validation of his talent but also a testament to his mental fortitude.

Kim's Career Journey

Tom Kim burst onto the PGA Tour scene in 2022 as a teenager, winning the Wyndham Championship to become the youngest winner on Tour since 1931. He followed that up with victories at the Shriners Children's Open and the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open, which was his first win in Scotland – ironically, the same event he just won again. With four wins now on his resume, Kim has already accomplished what many players dream of, but his trajectory is still on the rise.

However, the two-and-a-half-year gap between his third and fourth wins was marked by inconsistency. He struggled with his ball-striking, his putting, and his overall confidence. At times, he admitted, he questioned whether he could ever return to winning form. But his support system – Woods, Scheffler, his family, and his team – helped him stay grounded.

Kim's victory at the Scottish Open also earned him a massive payout and a confidence boost heading into major championship season. The win moved him back into the top 20 of the world rankings, a place he had not occupied since early 2024. For a player who once reached as high as No. 8 in the world, returning to the winner's circle was a crucial step.

The Renaissance Club held up well under windy conditions, but Kim's bogey-free 64 was a masterclass in course management. He hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation and needed only 28 putts. His driving accuracy was solid, and his iron play was precise – a stark contrast to the struggles that had plagued him in previous months.

After the round, Kim was emotional. He hugged his caddie and teammates before heading into the scoring trailer. The relief was palpable. “It’s been a long time,” he told reporters. “I’ve worked really hard, and I’m grateful for everyone who helped me through the tough times.”

What's Next for Kim

With the Scottish Open victory, Kim secures a spot in the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush, as well as a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. He also earns 500 FedExCup points, vaulting him into a strong position for the playoffs. Perhaps more importantly, he has regained the belief that he can compete and win at the highest level.

Kim's next major test will be The Open Championship, where he will be one of the favorites. His game is suited to links golf – he proved that with his win at The Renaissance Club, which features bumpy fairways and tricky winds. Additionally, his partnership with Woods at TGL has given him experience playing under pressure and in unique formats.

His relationship with Woods is not just mentorship; it's a friendship. Woods, who himself is recovering from a serious car accident and recent surgeries, has remained involved in the game through TGL and his support of young talents like Kim. For Kim, having Woods in his corner is invaluable.

“Tiger has been through everything – injuries, criticism, comebacks. If he tells you something, you listen,” Kim said. “He doesn’t text you just to be nice. He texts you because he cares. That means the world to me.”

Kim's win also has implications for the future of golf in Asia. As one of the most prominent golfers from South Korea, he inspires a new generation of players in a region that has produced stars like K.J. Choi, Si Woo Kim, and Sungjae Im. His success brings attention to the growing talent pool in Asia and the importance of diversity in the sport.

Off the course, Kim is known for his infectious energy and humor. He frequently interacts with fans on social media and participates in charity events. His victory at the Scottish Open was celebrated widely, with even non-golf fans taking notice. The trending list on social media included his name alongside other sports stories like Sinner's Wimbledon repeat and the MLB All-Star Game, showing the crossover appeal of his triumph.

But for Kim, the focus remains on the journey. He acknowledged that he will inevitably face more tough times, but he now has the tools to handle them. “Golf is a funny game,” he said. “One week you feel like you can't make a putt, the next week everything goes in. You just have to keep trusting the process.”

With the support of champions like Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler, and his own resilient mindset, Tom Kim looks ready to add many more trophies to his collection. The Scottish Open was just the beginning of a new chapter.

Source:Yahoo Sports News