Kris Kim may be a new name to many, but he hails from a golfing family and holds big aspirations in the game.
The teenage Englishman, who makes his DP World Tour debut this week at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, hopes to follow in the footsteps of his mother, Ji-Hyun Suh, by forging a successful career. His father, Ki Yong, also played on the Fiji Tour
While he is still a month away from his 17th birthday, having sat his GCSEs at Epsom College in Surrey earlier this summer, Kim carries himself around the grounds of the historic Belfry with a confidence that belies his inexperience in these surroundings.
On Tuesday, while preparing for the opening event of the Back 9 on the 2024 Race to Dubai, the amateur was greeted by tournament host and legend of the European game Sir Nick Faldo on the range.
With Faldo watching on, offering a few tips, Kim went through his routines ahead of a practice round with European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald. Almost a year on from impressing in Europe’s victory at the Junior Ryder Cup in Italy, here he was sharing the fairways alongside a former World Number One.
That is perhaps testament to the ability he possesses. After all, he made headlines earlier this year when he became the youngest player to make the cut on the PGA TOUR in 11 years.
On his PGA TOUR debut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May, Kim more than held his own on the professional stage. He seemingly revelled in it, carding rounds of 67 and 68 over the opening two days before rounding out the week with a 70 and 73 on the 7,414-yard par-71 layout to finish 65th at TPC Craig Ranch.
A few months later, he finds himself among Ryder Cup stars such as Tyrrell Hatton and prominent international DP World Tour players such as Thriston Lawrence, Thorbjørn Olesen and Matteo Manassero.
After playing earlier this month on the European Challenge Tour and then more recently on the Clutch Tour, Kim now hopes to seize the chance to shine on a big stage, with recent PGA TOUR and DP World Tour winner Harry Hall and Matthew Jordan his playing partners over the opening two days.
Ahead of teeing it up this week, the DP World Tour sat down to catch up with Kim, last year’s winner of the Boys’ Amateur title, for a Q&A.
Q. A day out from the opening round, what are your feelings ahead of your DP World Tour debut?
Kris Kim: I'm excited, I just want to get going! I'm grateful for the opportunity that this event offers myself. I just can't wait to get going.
Q. Having never played the Brabazon course before, what have been your first reflections about the Belfry as venue?
Kim: It's a pretty nice course. If you keep it on the fairways it can be quite scoreable, but the rough is obviously pretty thick around the greens. So, if you keep it in play and hole a couple of putts, it'll be good.
Q. There were plenty of eyes on you when you played on the PGA TOUR earlier this year, how beneficial an experience do you think that will prove for you this week?
Kim: It will help a lot that this week will not be the first time playing on such a big stage. I'm more excited for this event as well.
Q. How do your expectations differ this week from then at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson?
Kim: I was pretty nervous at TPC Craig Ranch, so I mean I just wanted to make the cut. But yeah, I think as time has come in recent months playing in international amateur championships over the summer I've got a lot better with the pressure and I think I can do better this week.
Q. What is your goal for this week?
Kim: Obviously, it will partly be influenced by the conditions, but I am looking to shoot four under par rounds. That would be good.
Q. What are your plans in the coming months?
Kim: I'm going to play in Qualifying School later this year and over the next couple of years as well. Obviously if I get a full DP World Tour card then it'll be hard to turn down. But, obviously college in the states is still a route open to me but I am leaning towards favouring the Tour side. Before then, I'm hopeful of playing at the Genesis Championship later this year in South Korea.
Q. Is that in part down to how your mum pursued a career in the sport at a young age?
Kim: Yes, I guess my mum turned professional pretty early as well. If you want to get used to playing on Tour and get going quickly, I think it's not a bad idea to test your game as much as possible in professional events.
Q. Can you talk about the influence your parents have had in your development so far?
Kim: Both my parents are great and a source of valuable insight. There's nothing new for mum, who is also my coach, when we're on site at events That definitely helps coming to events like this and the PGA TOUR. I don't have to call a coach to see them once a week. I can just ask whatever and whenever I like.
Q. Are there any golfers you have reached out to for advice?
Kim: I had a chat with Nick Dunlap earlier this year on his college experience and then the dynamic of turning professional. Outside of that, Matt Wallace has been really nice to me. But generally everyone's been pretty great to me.
