Clinical Kim Defends Shriners Children’s Open Title

Las Vegas, United States: Korean Tom Kim became the first golfer to successfully defend the Shriners Children’s Open in 24 years, closing with a five-under 66 and clinching a one-stroke win over Canadian Adam Hadwin.

Kim, who shot a 62 on day three to earn the co-third round lead alongside Hadwin and American Lanto Griffin, carded seven birdies against two bogeys to triumph at TPC Summerlin, finishing with a winning total of 20-under 264.

The last player to win the Shriners Children’s Open in successive editions was Jim Furyk (1998-99). Kim also became the fourth youngest player in PGA Tour history to secure three wins by the age of 21 years, two months, and 13 days, following Gene Sarazen (20 years, five months, 23 days), Horton Smith (20 years, eight months, 19 days), and Tiger Woods (21 years, 13 days).

“It’s very sweet. I feel like the first two wins came at me really quick. It took a lot longer than my first two wins to get my third one. But it’s very sweet,” said Kim. “This is really for the team. I’ve worked really hard personally, but without their help, I would not even be close to getting my third win. This is really sweet for us.”

Hadwin, who was chasing his first win since the Valspar Championship in 2017, posted a closing 67, while Korean KH Lee, with a 68, bolstered the Asian representation on the leaderboard, finishing tied seventh.

Kim’s successful defence was especially meaningful given the fact that he was forced to miss his Wyndham Championship defence in August due to an ankle injury.

He said: “It was so hard for me the week of Wyndham to be at home. It was so hard for me to just sit on my couch and not really be able to do anything. It was very frustrating personally as a player because it was my first win, and I was so determined to come back to Shriners at least being healthy and at least have a chance to win as a defending champion.

“Winning this week is just making me miss that week even more, my first win. Not to have even a chance to compete out there, as a player, it’s hard. This win is dedicated to the people here but I also want to dedicate it to the people at Wyndham.”

A pivotal moment in Kim’s victory came on the 15th hole following a 12-foot birdie putt, his seventh gain of the day. Hadwin’s hopes were dashed following a bogey on the par-five 16th, but he ensured a solo second finish a closing birdie.

Kim said: “It was pretty intense. It was just me and Adam, and I feel like it was almost match play once we got past 14. It was probably the most emotional final round I’ve experienced the last year and a half.”

Hadwin settled for his second runner-up finish since the Rocket Mortgage Classic and paid tribute to Kim. He said: “Tom is just so steady. It’s kind of shocking actually there to see him bogey five and six. Fairways and greens, he never gets out of rhythm, out of pace.

“Five-under was seemingly the absolute worst he would have shot today. I knew it was going to take a good round to compete and to win.”

Despite coming up short in his bid for a third PGA Tour win, Lee was delighted with how the week unfolded. Rebounding from bogeys on the first and third holes, Lee carded five birdies to secure his fourth top-10 finish of the season. While he remains 76th in the FedEx Cup Fall Series standings, he’s aiming for a better playing status in 2024.

He said: “It was unfortunate that I was unable to cut my strokes over the final five holes when I needed to, which put me out of contention for the win. But overall it was a week where I saw a lot more improvement.

“I need to improve my ranking in the remaining Fall Series so I can compete in the big tournaments next year. I don’t think my season is over yet. I want to keep up the good momentum for the rest of the tournaments, starting with ZOZO Championship next week.”