Si Woo Kim is a South Korean golfer ranked 20th in the world, best known for becoming the youngest winner of THE PLAYERS Championship in 2017 at just 21 years old. That victory at TPC Sawgrass, often called the unofficial fifth major, announced Kim as a player capable of winning on the biggest stages in professional golf.
Kim turned professional in 2013 and joined the PGA Tour full-time in 2016, earning his card through the Web.com Tour. His game is built on flair and creativity; he shapes shots in both directions, carries an aggressive mentality into every round, and possesses a short game imagination that produces saves from positions other players would consider hopeless. He has recorded multiple PGA Tour victories, including wins at the Wyndham Championship and THE PLAYERS, demonstrating his ability to perform on very different course setups. His swing generates considerable power for his frame, and his willingness to go for broke on par-5s and reachable par-4s gives him scoring bursts that can vault him up leaderboards quickly.
The knock on Kim has always been consistency. His aggressive approach produces spectacular results on good weeks and frustrating missed cuts on bad ones. When his putter is working, Kim can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the world; when it is cold, his lack of a conservative fallback mode means scores can balloon. That said, his best golf is elite-level, and major championships occasionally reward the bold player who refuses to play for pars. His experience at the top level of the PGA Tour, combined with his proven ability to win high-profile events, makes him a threat whenever the course demands creativity and nerve.
In 2026, Kim brings his aggressive style to all four major venues. Augusta National rewards the kind of shot-shaping and green-reading ability he possesses. Aronimink will test his iron play on tight, demanding greens. Shinnecock Hills can punish his aggression but also reward his creativity in the wind. Royal Birkdale demands imagination, which is Kim’s greatest asset. He will compete at all four: The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. Fans in South Korea can follow in South Korea time.