Kim Si-woo takes career fourth win at Sony Open in Hawaii

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Kim Si-woo takes career fourth win at Sony Open in Hawaii

Published: 16 Jan. 2023, 13:51 Updated: 16 Jan. 2023, 13:58

Kim Si-woo of Korea poses with his wife Oh Ji-hyun and the trophy after putting in to win on the 18th green during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday. [GETTY IMAGES]

Kim Si-woo followed in Korean golf legend K.J. Choi’s footsteps with a sensational come-from-behind win at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday.

Kim blazed to victory over American Hayden Buckley at Waialae Country Club for his fourth career PGA Tour title on Sunday, and his first as a married man.

Trailing overnight by three shots, 27-year-old Kim got hot early in his final round with three opening birdies and, after jostling for the lead with three more birdies and two bogeys, he chipped in for a glorious birdie on 17 and tapped in at the par-5 18th hole for a 6-under 64 and 18-under 262 winning total.

He emulated compatriot Choi, who was victorious at the Sony Open in 2008, and succeeded Presidents Cup International teammate Hideki Matsuyama, who triumphed there 12 months ago.

Kim married KLPGA player Oh Ji-hyun in Seoul last month and said his latest victory, which lifted him to eighth place on the FedExCup points list and earned him $1.42 million, was also very much due to her calming presence.

“It definitely helped that she is with me here,” said Kim. “She came to U.S. after her season ended and came out to some tournaments with me. It helps keep me calm and comfortable both inside and outside the ropes. Especially today, I could see her on golf course and when I was little nervous, that really helped me relax. Feels like we're on honeymoon because we came here a week early."

Kim led the field in total birdies this week with 24.

Hayden, who was chasing a first Tour win, settled for runner-up after a 68. He missed a 12-foot birdie putt at the last to force a playoff.

Kim charged out of the blocks by holing birdie putts of 10 feet, 16 feet and nine feet over his first three holes, but did not need the flat stick for the most important birdie of the day on 17, a par-3 where he sailed the green with his tee shot. After hearing a loud cheer on the 16th green as a result of Hayden regaining a one-shot lead, Kim chipped in from 30 feet for birdie before letting out a big fist pump and raising both hands in celebration.

“I knew he made a birdie. I heard the noise so I have to hit it aggressive. I have nothing to lose,” said Kim, who was playing in the penultimate group. “It feels great and then, like the first three holes like was on fire.”

He was happy to follow in the footsteps of K.J. Choi by becoming a winner in Hawaii. Choi has blazed a trail for Korean and Asian golf for over two decades, winning eight times on Tour where he presently holds the joint record for most victories alongside Matsuyama, who finished tied 48th in his title defense. Kim’s triumph was also on the 40th anniversary of Isao Aoki’s Sony Open win in 1983 which made the Japanese legend the first Asian winner on the PGA Tour.

“It is great that I won again the event that K.J. has won previously,” said Kim who also won the 2017 Players Championship — the Tour’s flagship tournament which Choi is also a former winner. “It is good omen for me. He has won many tournaments and I always want to follow his footsteps. It is great honor to me.”

Kim is now determined to add to his career tally, although he admitted he had put too much pressure on himself in recent years.

“It's like my first time winning the first event, so I think it can't be better than this. This is really exciting, and hopefully a lot of left. Hopefully try to get more confidence and get more wins,” he said.

“It was a tough year, last year. I played a lot of good rounds, but I didn't play good on Sundays. That's why I finished a lot of 13th. I think that helps me become more patient, and then this year trying to have a mindset, like trying to be more less upset, and being more positive. Friday and Saturday was a little upsetting for me, but I didn't act much. I think that helped. So have to be more patient and just trying to play my golf.”

Korean duo An Byeong-hun and Kim Seong-hyeon, who graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour, finished tied 12th on 268 after closing rounds of 67 and 68.

BY CHUAH CHOO CHIANG AND JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]