Tom Kim shines the brightest for Asian golf in 2023

When young Korean star Tom Kim qualified for his maiden Tour Championship appearance in August by being amongst the elite 30 golfers on the PGA Tour, he was asked how he’d grade his 2022-23 season.

He gave himself a C-minus.

It certainly felt Kim was being extremely hard on himself as his first full season on the globe’s elite circuit included one victory and seven other top-10s, including at two of the major championships. “It's just the truth,” said Kim without batting an eyelid.

“I won a title this season, but it wasn't this year, and it was about 10 months ago. However, I also had some good results in the majors, so I think it's a positive I gained confidence and comfort in the majors. Golf is a sport that is judged by results, so I'm disappointed I didn't win this year.”

When quizzed what he’d needed to have given himself a better grade, he simply replied — “start winning” — which he duly delivered a sensational third PGA Tour victory just two months later when he repeated as champion at the Shriners Children’s Open in Vegas in October.

Kim’s self-deprecating attitude, coupled with a winning mentality and an abundance of talent, are very much ingredients that should propel him towards his goals of winning golf’s biggest tournaments and becoming World No. 1. He will end 2023 as the highest ranked Asian golfer at World No. 11, eclipsing the likes of countrymen Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim and Japanese star HidekI Matsuyama.

The year 2023 was no doubt a tale of two halves for Kim, who struggled to hit consistent results after ramping up his ball speed. He enjoyed a couple of top-10s early in the year before hitting a flat line.

“Technically, my ball speed has gone up a lot from last year, so my timing is a little different. I needed to find new balance with my body and my swing. As these things improved in the second half, my results improved and I think I made the most progress in my short game and mentality,” he said.

He recalled flushing a pure 4 iron approach shot to perfection on the final hole of the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club in June which produced a closing birdie and a career first top-10 in a major. It proved to be the catalyst for a strong summer